AN AYR MSP has praised the “absolutely fantastic” broadband figures from the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre

SNP politician Siobhian Brown has welcomed the statistics which show a steep increase in the availability of ‘superfast broadband’ in South Ayrshire.

As of September 2024, 98.41 per cent of properties in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon have access to superfast broadband – up 53.51 per cent since 2014.

She said: “It is absolutely fantastic to see that with the SNP Government, access to superfast broadband in Ayr, Prestwick and Troon has dramatically risen over the previous decade – this makes a real and important difference to people’s lives.

“Going from just 44.90 per cent in 2014 to 98.41 per cent now, a rise of 53.51 per cent shows the benefit that long term investment in our community infrastructure is having.

“One of the SNP Government’s four priorities is to boost growth across Scotland and it is through the funding of vital infrastructure projects that we can help our economy flourish.”

Across Scotland in 2014, 50 per cent of households had access to superfast broadband but this has risen to 95 per cent in 2024, an increase of 45 per cent in the past decade.

From 2025, it will be required for all new builds in Scotland to have access to superfast broadband, as the SNP delivers on a Programme for Government commitment.