Conservative MP David Davis has called for the Government to use unemployed workers to build a nationwide fibre broadband network.

Writing in The Times, Davis admits the Government cannot afford to spend £25 billion on a nationwide fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP) network, and says the sum is "more than the ponderous, monopolistic companies in this sector are willing to risk".

However, Davis claims that the biggest cost of installing a fibre network is the physical labour of building the infrastructure - a task he claims could be undertaken by the unemployed.

Building a superfast rural broadband network is largely low-skill - digging trenches, laying pipes, filling them in

"Building a superfast rural broadband network is largely low-skill - digging trenches, laying pipes, filling them in," Davis writes. "Only a small fraction of the cost is high-tech materials."

"Why not use use the 2.4 million people who are either jobless or on welfare to build this infrastructure?"

The former Shadow Deputy Prime Minister claims that the Government's current plans to encourage investment in a fibre network are insufficient.

"Why not use use the 2.4 million people who are either jobless or on welfare to build this infrastructure?"

Indeed. So long as you create the jobs to employ them why not.

This isn't frakkin Ancient Egypt, slavery was abolished a long time ago.

It's not slave labour, they're just working for their unemployment benefit.

I wonder where the first Gulag camp will be.

So people who pay their taxes to cover themselves for when they become unemployed because the Government is ignoring creating growth, do they have to become State slaves as well in the new Tory plan I wonder?

Thick as pigsh!t. Really, they've come up with one crap idea after another and not dealt with sorting out growth.

Actually, you're right, they need to create growth. They could plant some of those magic growth beans.

Actually, you're right, they need to create growth. They could plant some of those magic growth beans.