Welsh Conservatives today called on the Assembly Government to stop whingeing over its failed broadband pilot bid and begin examining new ways of delivering improved broadband to Welsh homes and businesses.
Clashing with the First Minister, Nick Bourne AM, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives in the National Assembly, accused the Labour-Plaid administration of failing to draw up a robust application for a superfast broadband pilot in Wales.
There was reportedly a more detailed answer in one box of the Herefordshire pilot bid than in the entire Welsh proposal.
Nick Bourne AM said, “We now know that the Assembly Government failed to pursue with sufficient vigour an application for a superfast broadband pilot in Wales.
“This represents as much as £10million of lost investment, which would have helped small Welsh businesses to broaden their customer base and expand.
“It is shameful that Wales lags behind other nations of the UK in take-up of broadband and this botched application will do nothing to help make Wales more competitive.
“At a time of tight financial settlements, Ministers should be taking measures to support small businesses by reducing business rates and improving access to faster broadband.
“It is disappointing that Ministers resort to whingeing about the decisions of the UK Government rather than taking responsibility for their own failings.”
