Faster broadband is needed for Barnsley’s ‘digital economy’ to take off, residents and businesses have said.

The council’s jobs and skills commission asked what they thought was going well with regards to new technology and what they felt was holding the borough back.

It came after widespread frustration from business owners that, despite buildings like the Digital Media Centre being available for online businesses, broadband speeds remained uncompetitively slow.

The commission was told this not only put off consumers from buying goods online but actively harmed job prospects by deterring businesses launching or expanding. The public sector should also have more services online, it was told, to encourage more people to use the internet, widening the market for online business and giving Barnsley’s economy a boost.

Commission chairman Coun Dick Wraith said the council was launching a ‘go online’ campaign next month to get more people using the internet but said the council’s financial situation meant progress may be limited.

“Businesses need to be online, but they’re increasingly frustrated at the slow speeds harming them and damaging the prospect of more jobs.

“It’s also important more is done to persuade the wider community of the value of going online.”

The commission will meet at Central library on September 26 at 2pm to discuss the findings. The meeting is open to the public.