The pledge
When Labour announced its pledge to roll out free full-fibre broadband, the party said maintenance costs would be around £230 million a year.
Analysis
This was based on a miscalculation. Data suggests costs would be two to four times this amount. Labour based its figures on analysis which estimated that costs over 30 years would be £6.9 billion which they divided by 30 to get an annual cost of £230 million.
The actual amount the Government would need to spend is much higher because of the “present value of money” which is based on the idea that an amount of money today is worth more than the same amount in the future.
Verdict
This figure was incorrect. Labour has since corrected the figure to estimate operating costs would be around £580 million per year.
Full Fact is the UK’s independent factchecking organisation. For sources and more factchecks go to fullfact.org
