A Conservative MP has called on the government to encourage the rollout of fibre optic broadband by removing obstacles such as new taxation of the technology.

The Valuation Office Agency recently proposed charging an additional £20 per month levy on any properties that get their broadband from a non-BT network, a move which Penrith and The Borders MP Rory Stewart is against.

Speaking to Computer Weekly, Mr Stewart said it is important for an environment to be created in which people are encouraged to lay fibre optic broadband cables and connect more properties to the internet.

"Although it's government policy [to tax fibre], personally that is something with which, as somebody pushing for community access to broadband, I disagree," he was quoted by the tech news provider as saying.

The MP added that "barriers" of this nature are not good in the long run.

Prior to becoming an MP at the last election, Mr Stewart held a professorial chair at Harvard University.

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