Labour pledges free full-fibre broadband for all by 2030

The Labour Party has pledged that a Labour government would deliver free full-fibre broadband for every home and business across the UK by 2030.

The Party has said it would invest £20.3 billion into the scheme (£15 billion on top of the £5 billion already pledged by the government) from its Green Transformation Fund. The project would also involve the nationalisation of BT’s Openreach, and the integration of relevant parts into a new public entity called British Broadband.

The Conservatives called the scheme a “fantasy plan” that “would cost hardworking taxpayers tens of billions.” However, Labour says the scheme is fully costed and would represent a huge upgrade in the UK’s telecoms network.

Labour estimates the cost of maintaining the network at around £230 million a year, which it says would be part-funded by higher taxes on large tech companies such as Google and Amazon.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “The internet has become such a central part of our lives. It opens up opportunities for work, creativity, entertainment and friendship. What was once a luxury is now an essential utility.”

“That’s why full-fibre broadband must be a public service, bringing communities together, with equal access, in an inclusive and connected society.”

Corbyn added that “By creating British Broadband as a public service, we will lead the world in using public investment to transform our country, reduce people’s monthly bills, boost our economy and improve people’s quality of life.”

According to Ofcom, full-fibre broadband is presently available to around 8 per cent of homes and businesses in the UK, far behind some other countries. The Conservatives have pledged £5 billion to bring gigabit-capable coverage to every area in the UK by 2025.

The Labour Party has also vowed to deliver a new Charter of Digital Rights, which it says would be the “strongest protection of data and online rights ever enacted.”