A letter from Mark Boleat, Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, in response to an Evening Standard article on London's slow broadband speeds.

Sir,

Two things struck me about the article on broadband speeds in the capital (London one of the worst cities in Europe for slow broadband speed, 3 August). Firstly, while the City of London was at the bottom of the list for the number of households per borough without high-speed access (6,700), when you consider the small number of residents in the Square Mile, we actually jump to the top of that list when looking at the percentages.

This then leads on the second point, that the figures also negate the fact that the City has over 15,000 businesses, the vast majority of them operating as SMEs who might not be cash-rich. To them high-speed internet is as essential as quality office space, electricity, transport links and being able to attract the right sort of staff. Without it they can’t compete on the global stage and is why we and BT are committed to improving broadband speeds for those who both live and work in the Square Mile.

Mark Boleat,

Policy Chairman, City of London Corporation