CLA welcomes rural broadband pledges

Rural communities could be the surprise winners following next month's general election in the UK, as more than half of all candidates standing for election pledging to improve rural broadband access should they be victorious.

According to the CLA, the number of candidates adding their voice to calls for improved rural broadband has now broken the 75 mark and include such household names as Environment Secretary Liz Truss, Culture Secretary Sajid Javid and Minister for Europe David Lidington.

CLA President Henry Robinson said: "The CLA message on rural broadband is really cutting through and we are delighted so many candidates from across the political spectrum are picking it out as a priority."

He added that promises have also been made in all of the main political parties' manifestos and therefore, following the election on May 7th, the CLA will be looking to hold whoever makes up the next government to their word.