The report revealed that BT had generated more than £24bn in gross value added (GVA) to the Uk economy during the last financial year, including £1.2bn in Scotland.

The research indicated that BT Group, its spend with contractors and suppliers, and the spending power of its employees, are responsible for supporting around 12,4000 jobs in Scotland.

The firm also spent £167 million with suppliers based in Scotland, including those in the retail, construction and telecommunications industries.

BT Group has broadband and mobile networks spanning from the Scilly Isles to Shetland, built and maintained by some of the 82,800 direct employees it has in the UK. This is equivalent to one in every 12 employees working in the IT and communications sectors.
In Scotland, BT directly employs 7,240 people, with a further 205 employed as contractors.

Jane Wood, BT Group director of nations and regions, said: “I’m immensely proud of the contribution our colleagues make in supporting the UK economy. At an important time for our country, our spending on people, networks and suppliers, provides a vital economic boost for the UK. The wider impact of that spending helps to sustain communities and small businesses right across the UK.

“In the past year, having good connectivity has become more important than ever as we’ve all had to work, learn, and spend more leisure time online. Despite these challenges, our dedicated and determined colleagues have ensured EE’s 5G network has been extended to cover 125 towns and cities, built out Openreach’s full-fibre networks to reach 4.1 million premises and EE’s 4G network now reaches 85 per cent of the UK. I know these significant investments will help to underpin the country’s economic recovery post-Covid.”

Tim Fanning, director at Hatch, said: “Our analysis underlines how vast BT Group’s contribution is to the UK economy as a whole as well as to individual communities in the nations and regions. Its presence across the country generates significant further activity and investment, supporting many thousands of jobs.”