MPs demand more fibre broadband funding for North Yorks

More central government funding is needed to ensure no North Yorkshire communities miss out on the benefits of fibre optic broadband, according to local MPs.

NYnet, the public-private commercial venture created to improve connectivity across the county with the support of taxpayers' money, is aiming to roll out an underground fibre optic network that will bring super-fast broadband to every home and business in the area.

But the organisation warned that many communities with fewer than 300 properties would be excluded from the funding, reports the Northern Echo.

This has prompted a group of North Yorkshire MPs to write a letter to Chancellor George Osborne calling for an additional £2 million in financial support.

NYnet Chief Executive John Moore said an increase in funding would be welcome, but stressed that even the extra £2 million would not be enough to deliver universal connectivity.

"If we get more subsidy funding, we can push the boundaries of where cables can be laid back a bit further, but some places will never be included unless we get tens of millions of pounds more," he warned.