Inner London has some of worst broadband infrastructure in the UK, according to government figures

Two million more superfast broadband-connected homes - but figures show some urban areas are missing out

London has some of the worst broadband infrastructure in the UK, despite being the country's capital city and main hub of economic activity.

That's according to new figures released by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which were released as it was announced that the so-called "superfast broadband" rollout has reached an additional two million homes and businesses across the UK. The government claims that four out of five properties can now access fast internet connections.

However, the latest figures also revealed that London and other dense urban areas are falling behind the rest of the country when it comes to broadband infrastructure.

The government has set a target for 95 per cent superfast broadband rollout by 2017 - a scheme that has consumed more than £1.7bn in investment - but figures indicate that inner-city areas have been the least likely to benefit from the scheme.

Ironically, perhaps, it's the Cities of London and the Westminster parliamentary constituency - home to much of government - that will have the lowest penetration of superfast broadband, with just 31 per cent of premises having access to connections capable of more than 24Mbps.

Outside of London, Hull is the urban area that will have the poorest penetration of superfast broadband. MPs also recently warned that remote areas risk being left behind in rural broadband rollout.

But while the government has been able to provide support for broadband infrastructure installation in rural areas, it states that competition laws prevent it from directly intervening to force private firms to bolster connections.

"State aid rules ensure government only builds network where the commercial sector won't go and BT, Virgin and others have already announced plans for commercial rollout in cities - including a £50m investment from BT," a Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson told The Guardian.

"We are already reviewing what we can do for residents in those areas the market won't reach as part of our commitment to take superfast broadband to the final five per cent... In order to drive the economy we have already seen over 8,000 businesses in UK cities benefit from faster and better broadband as part of our successful connection voucher scheme."

Unsurprisingly, the MPs of inner-London areas have criticised the lack of superfast broadband in their constituencies.

"The government has failed to deliver superfast broadband to the UK on time and on budget. Urban areas are being left behind. For my inner-London constituency of Bethnal Green and Bow, bordering Tech City, this is nothing short of ludicrous," said Rushanara Ali, Labour MP for Bethnal Green and Bow, speaking to The Guardian.

"Not only is the government letting down thousands of households in the East End, it's also threatening the growth of local businesses, which depend on high-tech infrastructure to flourish," she concluded.

Neverthetheless, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid (pictured) has praised the broadband rollout scheme, stating that it's enabling more people to access superfast connections than ever before.

"Today there are two million more UK homes and businesses with access to superfast broadband than there were two years ago as a result of this ambitious project. This is a tremendous result that is already making a huge difference to millions of people," he said.

"We want everyone in the UK to be able to enjoy the benefits of superfast broadband, that's why we've begun work on reaching the last five per cent of communities not covered by existing plans," he added.