BDUK employing 75 full-time staff
The government's broadband policy unit employs 75 full-time equivalent staff, according to figures revealed in a response to a written parliamentary question.
Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), which has control over £680 million of public money earmarked to bring super-fast broadband to 90 per cent of the country by 2015, has 75 workers on its books despite overseeing fewer than 40 projects, reports PC Pro.
The body has sought to gain approval of the UK's next-generation broadband strategy from the EU, which has been investigating the plans over fears they infringe European rules on state aid.
However, paperwork related to the EU clearance is thought to have been sent in ahead of the summer recess, yet staffing levels at BDUK have still risen by 25 per cent since the same point in 2011.
News of BDUK's seemingly high number of employees raised particular eyebrows, given that BT is so far the only company to have been awarded contracts under the super-fast broadband framework.
Last month, the telecoms giant was named as Cumbria County Council's preferred provider, having previously won broadband contracts from authorities in Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Rutland and other counties.
