Broadband boost for North Yorkshire businesses

Results from a survey carried out for the Countryside Alliance were released as details of a meeting to help to support businesses in the Selby district and improve internet availability were announced.

The poll showed that four out of five adults agreed that rolling out high-speed broadband across the whole of the UK would have a positive impact on the economy.

The poll also showed that more than two-thirds of people, 69 per cent, believed the Government should ensure everyone in the UK has a broadband connection.

Twenty-nine per cent of people in rural areas were dissatisfied with the speed of their broadband connection, compared with 18 per cent of those living in urban areas.

Barney White-Spunner, executive chairman of the Countryside Alliance, said: “Innovations in digital services mean it has never been more important that rural business and people living in the countryside have access to broadband and a good mobile phone signal.

“Broadband is the most important technological innovation to kickstart the rural economy and the Government needs to ensure that those living and working in the countryside do not fall behind their urban peers because they cannot access it.”

Next week, Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, will host a free session for local businesses interested in finding out how to best use the internet and gain up to £700 in grants from the Superfast North Yorkshire programme.

The programme provides access to 12 hours of free business support and training, and grants to help to boost web-based businesses.

Talks at the meeting, on Friday, August 16, will include topics such as social media, search engine optimisation, one-to-one support and business development ideas.

The breakfast briefing will be held from 8.30am to 10.30am at the Riley Smith Hall in Tadcaster.

Places are free, but they are limited.

They are available by emailing nigel.adams.mp@parliament.uk