BDUK Superfast Programme evaluation
The DCMS commissioned Ipsos Mori to carry out a State Aid evaluation of the UK National Broadband Scheme which was established in 2010 to help extend high-speed broadband connectivity to areas, including those that were not expected to benefit from commercial rollouts. The scheme has reached over 96% of premises in the UK today and provided £2.7bn worth of economic benefits.
Key overall benefits and impacts identified include:
- 5.5m contracted premises are covered.
- £860m of taxpayers’ money saved for reinvestment.
- Increased firm and worker productivity: £1.1bn in 2019 up from £691m in 2016.
- £742m – £1.5bn consumer value placed on Superfast broadband.
- A rise in the value of homes sold in programme areas between 2012 and 2019 by up to £3,500, a rise of 1.16% worth £1.52bn.
- 17,600 more jobs in programme areas, including 2,100 lifted from long-term unemployment creating an increase in gross value added (GVA) by £125m.
- £1.1bn gained in GVA through increased workplace productivity.
The availability of faster coverage led to a £1.9bn increase in total annual turnover for firms based in areas upgraded through the programme. For every £1 invested by the government in the programme, an additional £2.70-£3.80 of economic and social benefits has been created in the UK economy.
The programme was divided into three phases, the last phase being funded under a new state aid judgement covering contracts awarded between 2016 and 2020. Phase 3 contracts appear to have increased the number of premises with superfast coverage by 10,800 to 29,300, and the number of premises with FTTP coverage by 19,000 to 30,300.
The various reports are listed below.
Superfast Broadband State Aid evaluation: main report
Superfast Broadband Programme evaluation: key benefits and impacts
Technical Appendix 1 – reducing the digital divide
Technical Appendix 2 – modelling of internal rates of return
Technical Appendix 3 – economic and social impacts
Technical Appendix 4 – initial market analysis
