Claims by IT multinational Cisco that that the UK’s broadband quality is good enough for today's needs have been described as absurd by the CLA in the North.

A survey by Saïd Business School and Cisco ranks the UK’s broadband infrastructure a lowly 25th behind the likes of Latvia, Bulgaria and Lithuania, and also highlights the digital divide between urban and rural areas.

Douglas Chalmers, Director CLA North, said: “To claim that the UK’s broadband network is good enough for today’s needs simply demonstrates no appreciation of the needs of the people’s lives. The same survey highlights the gap between urban and rural areas, and our own research shows the real misery caused by lack of access to affordable broadband.

“The digital divide is not a PR concept, it is literally dividing communities. Many areas of rural Britain cannot access ADSL, which means homes can not sell, offices can not be let, and children can not do homework or interact socially at the same level as their friends.

“Worryingly, the signs are that the gap will widen as investment is put into superfast networks while many cannot even get the slowest broadband.

“The UK broadband network is far from good enough for today’s needs. Statements that fail to accept this simply cause anger and frustration for those affected, and ignore the need to correct this."