50p broadband tax could be made law before the next general election

Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms has aired his opinion the controversial 50p broadband levy should be made law before the next election. Speaking in London Timms said he plans to present the tax to parliament as part of the Finance Bill.

Applicable to everyone with a fixed-line telephone an additional 50p looks set to be added to household bills in order to fund the development of high speed broadband networks across the UK.

It's a suggestion that is sure to be opposed by the Conservative party, according to Tory MP John Whittingdale. He's adamant the £175m a year fund will have a hard time getting approved. Speaking to the BBC he commented: “I'm confident the Conservative party will oppose it. I object to it on the basis that it is another tax and is aimed at people who are using old technology.”

Firming up the government's commitment to legislating the levy, Timms commented: “We want to make high speed networks nationally available. The next-generation fund will help that and we will legislate for it this side of a general election.” He also confirmed amendments to the Digital Britain report would be presented to parliament in the Digital Economy Bill in November.