New e-commerce minister, Stephen Timms, last night said the government was on track to making the UK the most competitive and extensive broadband market in the G7 by 2005.

At a meeting for MPs hosted by the Communication Workers Union, the minister annouced that the government expected a million broadband connections by October this year, and had earmarked £13 million to extend the service into parts of the country where it is not currently available.

Forum Response: Communication Workers Union

A spokesman for the CWU told ePolitix.com: "The union believes that the government can stimulate demand for broadband in three ways. Firstly it can ensure that regulators like Oftel and Ofcom are charged with promoting the take up of the technology. Second, it can make use of broadband in public services, which will encourage private demand. And thirdly, it can promote demonstration projects to publicise the benefits."