Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, said:

"This new fund will enable some of the most remote communities in England to bring broadband to their homes and businesses.

Remote and rural areas have the most to gain from access to broadband but these are the communities currently missing out.

The whole of the UK should be able to share in the benefits of broadband and we are determined to make this happen by the end of the Parliament."

Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, added:

"England’s uplands communities face difficult challenges, as do other remote parts of rural England, yet these are places with a remarkable range of human and natural assets and they can have a bright future. I am determined that these areas will not be overlooked and that is why I will champion their interests right from the centre of Government.

Making a living as a hill farmer can be very difficult without the payments which reward the valuable environmental contribution they make, and unless farmers get help to innovate and diversify. The range of measures announced today will help hill farmers become more competitive and take advantage of new opportunities to grow their businesses. They will also help rural communities to thrive."