According to a new survey by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), three-quarters (74 per cent) of its members want public sector cuts to go ahead, with six out of ten members stating that the cuts are necessary because of the size of the public sector deficit.

While budget allocated to private sector businesses also needs to be reduced, participants were of the opinion that Government funding should concentrate on a “fully operational web portal”. Just last week, 63 per cent of FSB members were reported to be unhappy with the speed of their connections.

The FSB has calculated that the provision of fast and reliable broadband for businesses in the UK could create around 600,000 new jobs. Commenting on the report, the national chairman of the FSB John Walker, said: “We will be telling the Conservative Party Conference that small firms need the right measures in place so they can fulfil their role as innovators and job creators.

“Small businesses are the sector to aid recovery and must step up – but so must the government.”

Members also said they also wanted to see more accurate advice and figures on speed from internet service providers.