Chancellor promises 10 technology hubs in Autumn Statement

Chancellor George Osborne has promised to invest in the UK's digital infrastructure, creating 10 major technology hubs across the UK.

Osborne used his Autumn Statement to provide details of the hubs that will form part of the government's National Infrastructure Plan. The 10 major technology hubs will be situated in key cities including London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast, and would see them benefit from "world-leading superfast broadband and Wi-Fi connections", Osborne told the Commons earlier today.

The chancellor confirmed he will make it easier for companies to deploy infrastructure by easing rules of "micro-trenching" and deregulating the deployment of overhead cables.

Osborne also reaffirmed the government's commitment to investment in superfast broadband and next-generation mobile networks.

The plans to accelerate the deployment of superfast broadband to 90 per cent of the UK and mobile broadband to 99 per cent of the population would “help create a living, economically viable countryside”, Osborne said.

Up to £100m of the funding needed to create the national broadband rollout will come from the European Regional Development Fund.

Elsewhere in his Autumn Statement, the chancellor announced plans to make it easier for firms to use outsourcing services, promising changes to the Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations.