Business rates providing better broadband boost

By enabling 100 per cent business rates relief for operators who install new fibre on their networks, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Act 2018 will incentivise operators to invest in the broadband network.

Local Government Minister Rishi Sunak says that the new legislation, which will see communications providers exempt from business rates on new fibre for five years, backdated to 1 April 2017, will pave the way for full-fibre broadband and future 5G communications.

Sunak said: “From the country’s most rural locations, to our big cities, we want everyone to benefit from fast, affordable and reliable broadband. With this new legislation now in place, people can expect the rapid installation of new fibre, paving the way for better connectivity across the country. From making it easier to work from home to allowing digital businesses to flourish, our measures are creating the right conditions for more high-skilled, high-paid jobs of the future.”

Minister for Digital, Margot James, added: “We are building a Britain that is fit for the future, and creating the right conditions to stimulate industry investment in infrastructure. People need good connectivity wherever they work, live, and travel and initiatives like our business rates relief scheme are key to us delivering this.”