Broadband News

Businesses unhappy over yet another broadband minister

(31-01-08) - Baroness Shriti Vadera has been named as the UK’s new broadband minister after Stephen Timms moved on to the Department for Work and Pensions.

Lady Vadera, who has a business background and worked as an investment banker for 14 years before gaining a post as Treasury advisor for Gordon Brown, has now taken on the role of Competitiveness minister at the Department of Business.

However, businesses voiced concerns that the fast turnover of business ministers could undermine their effectiveness.

Lucy Findlay, head of enterprise at the Confederation of British Industry, said: “This is the fifth minister in this role in less than three years. The constant changing of faces and portfolios has been unhelpful to building a long-term dialogue, so it is important that we now see a period of stability.”

During what was his second spell as broadband minister, Mr Timms opened up debate on the need for a next generation fibre broadband network, which would offer speeds of up to 100Mb, saying that it was “essential to the UK’s competitiveness”.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: “We welcome Lady Vadera, who is known as a ‘tough’ minister who can push things forward. However, it’s important that she stays long enough to not only champion debate, but also to take action and bring the UK up to speed with our foreign counterparts while addressing consumer issues such as broadband advertising and customer service.”

Related article - Next generation broadband essential to the UK.

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