Broadband priority following Scottish Rural Parliament

More than 500 people took part in the Scottish Rural Parliament in Brechin, Angus from 6 to 8 October.

Following the event, Scottish Rural Action (SRA), the community organisation responsible for the running of the Scottish Rural Parliament, is planning to step up campaigning for the 100 percent roll-out of rural super fast broadband by 2021.

This was identified as a principal priority, along with rural business, land, and democracy and governance at the second Rural Parliament event.

Amanda Burgauer, Chair of SRA, said:

"We are an apolitical grouping but over the three days that we were in Brechin last week more than 500 people participated in our workshops and other events, helping to identify what our priorities should be. It is incumbent on us to deliver for them

"They are the voices of rural Scotland, local people and businesses who fully understand what is required to allow them to survive and develop in those communities and we will up our act to deliver for them. There are more than one million people living rurally to whom we have a responsibility. I think we are fortunate that we have a government which shares so many of these goals and we want to work with them to ensure delivery."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has already indicated her commitment to the 2021 broadband target and Fergus Ewing, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Connectivity, told the Rural Parliament in his address that 7,000 rural homes are now being connected weekly and that while that figure was comforting he realised there was still a lot of work to be done.

Visit the Scottish Rural Parliament website for more information.