£6 p/a broadband tax to be made law?

Another day, another tax but according to Stephen Timms, the treasury minister in charge of implementing the Digital Britain plan, the 'broadband tax' will "make high speed networks nationally available".

The 50p a month levy on all UK fixed phones lines is expected to be contained within this year's finance bill and, according to Timms, could be made law before the next election.

"My aim is that we should legislate for that this side of a general election," he said at a British Computer Society debate. Not just that, but the tax would raise GBP£150 million to GBP£175 million a year enabling the government to implement super-fast broadband networks over the country.

Tory MP John Whittingdale, who is also chair of the DCMS (Department for Culture, Media and Sport) select committee, believes that the Conservative Party will vehemently oppose it.

"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."

The Guardian however has been quick to point out that should the Tories reject the plan, it could present David Cameron with a problem - angering industry and regional action groups who would welcome fast broadband in current 'out of reach' Tory-voting areas.

Timms has stressed that the government is dedicated to the tax and that it is his "intention is to pass legislation before the election" so as to keep the 'Digital Britain plan' on track.

"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 said.

Set to be presented to Parliament in November, the Digital Economy Bill will also feature other pressing issues of a 'Digital Britain' such as the ongoing file-sharing controversy.

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