The government should make providing broadband access for all a priority, according to one industry figure.

Michael Phillips, Product Director at Broadband Choices, has thrown his weight behind communication minister Lord Carter's proposal to ensure every household in the UK has 2Mb broadband access or faster.

Mr Phillips was speaking in the wake of a new report from Point Topic, which highlighted the disparity between broadband access in the capital and other parts of the UK.

He said: "Many people take their broadband connection for granted, without realising the effect on businesses and families who have to struggle with painfully slow connections - or no broadband at all.

"The government, along with the broadband industry, must work to fulfil Lord Carter’s aims and push for faster, better broadband connections across the UK."

Point Topic's study compared broadband access in Swindon, which stands at around 90 per cent, to that in Teeside, which is languishing at the 25 per cent mark.