Big cities will get ultra-fast internet broadband

Ten of the UK's largest cities will get ultra-fast broadband as part of the Government's "modern industrial policy".

Under measures outlined in the Budget, 90 per cent of the population will have access to "super-fast broadband" and mobile phone coverage will be improved in rural areas and along key roads.

Mr Osborne said £50m would also be made available for investment in internet networks in small cities, in an effort to achieve "the fastest digital speeds in the world available in our cities". But industry leaders said the focus on cities risked leaving rural areas behind.

Julia Stent at uSwitch.com said: "Concern should be the provision of a quality service to rural areas."