Millions of phone users could face a charge of 50p a month under new government plans to assist the implementation of high-speed broadband throughout the UK.

The £6 a year tax on households with telephone lines would raise £150m annually to develop the fibre optic services needed for universal broadband.

The scheme would "help accelerate Britain's recovery from the biggest economic shock the world has seen since World War II," said culture secretary Ben Bradshaw.