North Ayrshire MP Patricia Gibson has challenged the UK Government to invest in broadband to help boost speedy internet access and improve opportunities.

She branded the UK Government's 'failure' to properly fund broadband across Scotland and refused to acknowledge its financial responsibilities for this matter.

Patricia said: "Despite connectivity and broadband being entirely reserved to Westminster, the SNP Government has invested £580 million in the ‘R100’ programme to deliver super-fast broadband to every home and business in Scotland.

The UK Government has contributed £21 million – just 3.5% of total funding.

“What is clear is the UK Government's complete and utter failure to allocate adequate funding for the rollout of broadband in Scotland, which has left the Scottish Government to make up the massive shortfall that is entirely the responsibility of Westminster.

"The Scottish Government has already made excellent progress in delivering wider access to superfast broadband across North Ayrshire and Scotland, to make sure Scotland is not left behind. But there is still more to do. It’s not too late for the Tory Government to step up to the plate and join us by fulfilling their remit and investing in broadband here in North Ayrshire and across Scotland.”

“Broadband is essential to ensuring communities are connected and businesses are competitive, and the UK Government must provide Scotland with its fair share of overall funding for the rollout of high-speed broadband.

“If it were left to the Tories at Westminster, communities across Scotland would be disadvantaged in digital connectivity for years to come.

" It is only the Scottish Government which has the ambition of making all of Scotland one of the best-connected nations in Europe."