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The topic of this debate opens up a rather large and wriggling can of worms without even realising it.

I live in what is officially designated a "Low Income Community". In the block where I live there are around 30 flats (apartments to those across the water). Within these apartments live families all of which contain at least two fit and active adults; however out of them all, I am the only person who works for a living. In recent years the workforce has been boosted with an influx of Eastern Europeans, who for the most part secure jobs almost immediately and work hard to send money back home to their families. So it is not a lack of work that stops the immediate indigenous people from being "poor" it is simply a matter of choice.

All of these people live on welfare, with most claiming illnesses that do not exist as this boosts the amount of money received; and prevents anyone annoying them to actually find work. This is fact whether the blind "do-gooders" accept it or not. I have no doubt that in other countries the economic and development situation is completely different and that desperate poverty is a fact of life. In developed countries however; I believe that the situation will be much the same as in my immediate surroundings.

Now to the matter of broadband.

In what way does a broadband internet connection or even the possession of a computer itself alleviate poverty and hardship? Some years ago, some bright-spark had the idea that all poor families required a computer; therefore they announced that within six months, a brand new up to spec PC would be delivered free of charge to all the households within a specific geographical area designated as poor. Immediately Ebay, newspaper ads and ads in shop windows were filled with offers of cheap PC's which would be available for pick up within six months! I suppose that was one way of alleviating poverty any way!

Around two years ago more money was pumped into our community under the banner "Digital Inclusion". What this effectively meant, was that all of the community centres were given several PC's with broadband internet connection and a big new community website was developed full of useful information about finances and health etc for the local people. Within a year, no-one from the general public had ever used the website and the forums were full of discussions from those who work in social projects within the community. I was asked to find out why.

I talked to literally thousands

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