Moray MSP welcomes Scottish broadband plans

Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, has expressed his hope that the government's addition of £5 million to the Community Broadband Scotland initiative can have a positive effect on the scheme in his area.

He argued that the SNP's funding will help local communities implement superfast broadband plans across the country.

The rural, isolated nature of many Scottish communities has made improving internet penetration levels for residents difficult in some towns and villages, reports STV.

Mr Lochhead said: "Everyone knows just how important access to fast, reliable broadband is in this day and age."

He added that this makes it crucial to overcome the various problems posed by offering access to the most remote parts of Scotland, noting that the cash will be targeted at communities least likely to benefit from BT's Step Change 2015 programme.

This new funding boost can help Alex Salmond's SNP government reach the "ambitious targets" it has set for broadband provision, concluded the MSP.

Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure and Capital Investment Alex Neil, launching the new initiative, stressed the importance of next-generation internet access to economic growth.