Local councils that have been allocated millions of pounds to lay fibre networks, but have been unable to do so because of the EU hold up, have expressed frustration at the process in recent months.

Worcestershire County Council that there had been a "gross underestimation" of the time it would take to receive the funding.

A DCMS spokeswoman has previously told Computerworld UK that discussions with the European Commission have been ongoing since January.

"DCMS has agreed with the European Commission that we will put in place an umbrella scheme covering all local broadband projects. This means that one (rather than more than 40) state aid clearance need be obtained from the European Commission," said the spokeswoman.

She added: "Our original notification [to the EC] was in January this year and we have been in intensive negotiation since then. We have provided the Commission with all the information that it has asked for and hope it will be able to give a positive decision shortly."