WHICH? BROADBAND REPORT SHOWS MORAY SPEEDS LAGGING BEHIND
Moray MP, Douglas Ross, has commented after a report by Which? found the median download speeds in Moray were just 7.1mbps, one of the lowest in mainland Scotland. The consumer body analysed speed checker data in all 32 Scottish council areas. Commenting Douglas said:
“These figures show what people living in Moray have been aware of for far too long, we are being left behind in terms of internet connection and download speeds. It’s one of the most common complaints I hear at my constituency surgeries and when people contact me. This report is particularly revealing when we compare Moray’s speeds with those of neighbouring Highland and Aberdeenshire, who both receive quicker average speeds than Moray.
“The SNP Scottish Government announced their plans to have 100% of Scottish homes receiving at least 30mbps by 2021 to great fanfare, but that seems a long way off for people in Moray given the slow speeds many are experiencing. Once again we have seen the SNP prioritise the central belt with Glasgow and Edinburgh enjoying median speeds of more than 16 and 17mbps respectively, while Moray has some of the lowest speeds anywhere in mainland Scotland.
“We live in a fantastic part of the country where people want to live and work, but poor connectivity is a barrier to many people choosing to come here and it puts those already here, many operating small businesses from home, at a competitive disadvantage.
“The Scottish Government has already received more money per head of population to spend on broadband than the rest of the UK, and it needs to show that it is determined to deliver for the whole of Scotland. Moray is currently being left behind and that has to change. We want the 30mbps the SNP have promised everyone in Scotland will have in just two years. After this critical independent report, the Scottish Government have to tell us how they will deliver that.”
