UK Roundup: FreeAgent Funding; EC Broadband Rules; Online Public Services

– FreeAgent: Online accounting service FreeAgent has received a round of Angel funding — reported by TCUK to be in the “low six figures” — from Christoph Janz, Martin Armstrong and Sebastian Serfas. The site sorts out personal finance and tax accounting for up to £25 per month.

– EC broadband rules: There could soon be clearer rules on how telcos across Europe can receive government support in building next-gen broadband networks, if proposed European Commission legislation goes through. Competition commissioner Neelie Kroes told the Dutch Parliament that a draft bill to be considered will set out rules on the regulation of broadband financing and its public funding — specifically ruling on the cases and conditions where public funding is allowed and not contrary to competition laws. Telecompaper.com.

– Government services online: How connected are UK local and national governments when it comes to local services? According to Ofcom, almost half of people surveyed in a new study have accessed official information or filled out a form online in the last year. Of the entire sample, 42 percent had looked up some information or carried out a service online, but this rises to 55 percent for people that have internet access at home. The figure drops to 15 percent in socially and economically deprived areas. Via Netimperative.com.