Hunt accused of 'breathtaking complacency' by Labour

Shadow business minister says government's superfast broadband plans are 'a disappointing rehash' of Labour's old policy

Labour has accused Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt of "breathtaking complacency" over his plans for the rollout of superfast broadband across the UK.

Shadow business minister Ian Lucas said his proposals were "a disappointing rehash" of Labour's policy without the telephone levy to pay for it.

He claimed it would mean millions excluded from broadband provision for another three years and £300m of the money would not be available until 2015, whereas under Labour's plans the process would have been completed by 2012.

He accused Hunt of failing to say where the funding for high speed broadband would come from, adding: "At a time when we should be doing everything possible to support economic recovery they are slowing Britain down."

Hunt this week announced plans to set up a fibre point in every community in Britain by 2015, with responsibility for delivery to private homes handed to local operators and community groups.