Maree Todd hails ‘dramatic rise’ in access to superfast broadband
The SNP’s commitment to superfast broadband is “making a real and meaningful difference in people’s lives”, Maree Todd has said.
She welcomed figures from the Scottish Parliament information centre showing a big increase in availability in the Highlands.
The statistics show that, as of September 2024, 85 per cent of properties in the Highlands have superfast broadband access – up by 65 percentage points over a 10-year period.
In 2014, only 50 per cent of households across Scotland had access but in a decade this has risen to 95 per cent.
From the start of 2025, all new-build homes in Scotland must have access to faster broadband.
Ms Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see that, with the SNP government, access to superfast broadband across the Highlands has dramatically risen.
“An increase from 20 per cent in 2014 to 85 per cent today demonstrates the benefits of long-term investment in our community infrastructure, which is making a real and meaningful difference in people’s lives.
“One of the SNP government’s four priorities is to boost growth across Scotland, and it is through the funding of vital infrastructure projects that we can help our economy flourish.”
Last month the Scottish Government announced that faster broadband will feature in all new-build homes in Scotland from January. The move will fulfil a Programme for Government commitment.
Business minister Richard Lochhead said: “Connectivity is no longer a luxury but an essential part of everyday life, enabling remote working and access to public services, education and health.
“That’s why the Scottish Government is using its powers to reduce the barriers to accessing faster broadband so Scotland’s people and businesses can make the most of the opportunities connectivity brings.”