One in four households and businesses in Britain receive broadband speeds which are lower than the Government's basic standard amid growing concerns about the "digital divide".

An analysis by the House of Commons library found that 24 per cent of people across the UK do not receive decent broadband speeds, rising to an average of 45 per cent in villages and hamlets.

It found that broadband speeds are half as fast in rural areas as urban areas. However it also revealed significant divides in urban areas, with city centres often enduring lowers speeds that suburban areas a few miles away.

The report found that the slowest broadband speeds are predominantly in rural areas in Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and the South West. Kingston upon Hull East has the worst broadband in England with half of households enduring speeds of less than the minimum standard.