Hammond’s broadband drive shouldn’t only target remote areas
SIR – While it is heartening to learn that Philip Hammond, the Chancellor, may conjure up hundreds of millions of pounds to install superfast broadband in remote parts of Britain (report, October 28), what about those who experience wretched service at the moment?
I live between Brighton and Burgess Hill, both a few minutes’ drive away. Admittedly I am on the outskirts of my village, but broadband reception is very poor indeed.
Perhaps Mr Hammond would like to try working on his next Budget at my house. It would open his eyes to the reality for many in this country who do not even live in remote areas. Richard Andrews
Ditchling, West Sussex
SIR – If the Chancellor is hoping to improve rural broadband by connecting schools and libraries, he is unlikely to achieve this in remote areas such as Cumbria. Most villages have never had or have long lost their school and library.
A better way of bringing full-fibre internet to such communities would be to connect village halls. Many of these are already village hubs, and are funded and supported by the local community. Superfast broadband in these halls would also offer opportunities to provide much-needed health and social services. Dr Alan Rich
Penrith, Cumbria
SIR – I am pleased that the Chancellor is likely to announce a reduction in business rates in his Budget, albeit a temporary one, but he is papering over cracks rather than grasping the nettle.
Although high-street shops may need to be more innovative in how they attract customers, they remain at a disadvantage when Amazon can pay much lower rates for out-of-town distribution centres.
We need the equivalent of a delivery tax to level the playing field. The fiscal infrastructure is already in place for this if we increase VAT on internet sales where the customer does not collect in-store.
Such a measure would have the added benefit of making Amazon pay a fairer rate of UK tax, since the additional VAT would be based on UK turnover and therefore not subject to any offsets as profits are moved around the globe. David Pinless
London WC1
SIR – A week or so ago there was speculation that the Chancellor was about to hit pensions tax relief and freeze previously planned increases to personal allowances.
Now he’s found an extra £13 billion, the sun is shining and tax cuts might be brought forward a year. If this happens it will be a cynical attempt to retain the support of disillusioned middle-class voters.
A better use of the windfall would be to knock a chunk off our national debt and its associated interest. Robin Sudlow
Huntingdon