We all know how annoying it is when your broadband grinds to a halt and we either need to go and have a walk for a bit or sit staring at our browsers. Well, imagine if we just didn’t have broadband?!

It’s amazing to think that some areas of the UK just don’t have broadband yet. Small businesses in rural areas are suffering due to either slow dial-up Internet connections, or a complete lack of one. This means some businesses aren’t being created or are completely unable to expand in their areas - without the Internet.

There’s some great news though!

The government has announced that £530m is to be invested across the UK, with Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt indicating that £294.8m would go to English counties, £68.8m and to Scotland.

In England county councils and local enterprise partnerships are tasked with leading widespread broadband roll-out. The Government funding will be available to those showing realistic delivery plans and the ability to match government investment by way of European grants or other source funds.

So then, let’s hope our locally elected representatives can get to grips with this need and get something sorted. Especially for those of us in Hastings!

Oh yes, before we forget. East Sussex, Brighton and Hove have been allocated £10,640,000 in investment. Will our councils match it?