RURAL leaders have expressed anger after the government delayed the roll-out of faster broadband connections to the countryside.

The previous Labour government had pledged that all households would have access to minimum speeds of 2Mbps by 2012.

But culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said budget constraints meant it would no longer be possible to meet the universal service commitment.

“I have looked at the provision the government had made to achieve this by 2012 and I’m afraid that I am not convinced there is sufficient funding in place.”

Instead, the government had now set itself a “more realistic target” of universal 2Mbps access within the lifetime of this Parliament – expected to end in 2015.

Mr Hunt made the surprise announcement at a Broadband Delivery UK conference on Thursday (15 July). His full speech can be read here.

Sebastien Lahtinen, of the website Thinkbroadband.com, described the move as a “significant setback for rural broadband users”.

The Country Land and Business Association said it was “disappointed and shocked” by the decision to extend the target by three years.

CLA president William Worsley said: “This setback comes at a time when rural Britain is desperately in need of effective and affordable broadband.

“It will seriously compromise the ability of the rural economy to succeed in the future.”

Mr Worsley acknowledged the parlous state of public finances.

But without universal broadband it would become far harder for rural business to compete effectively with urban businesses, he said.

Many businesses in larger towns and cities already had access to far faster speeds than two Mbps, said Mr Worsley.

“The government needs to recognise that broadband can act as a fundamental driver in propelling the UK out of its current financial situation.

“This will be put in jeopardy if we have to wait an additional three years before everyone can gain adequate broadband coverage.”

In his speech, Mr Hunt suggested the increased use of government services online could lead to savings of at least £1 billion.

But one in five people who lived in rural areas with no broadband access would be unable to benefit, Mr Worsley said.

Rural affairs secretary Caroline Spelman insisted rural broadband provision remained a government priority.

“The broadband revolution has passed by too many of our rural villages and remote areas, she said.

“Many have inconsistent access, speeds so slow they are all but unusable – or no access at all.

“Rolling out superfast broadband is probably the single most important thing we can do to ensure the sustainability of our rural communities and businesses.”