The internet contributes more to Britain’s economy than for any other developed nation, it has been claimed.
A survey revealed 8.3 per cent of Britain’s economy was based on the web, the largest share for any G20 economy.
In comparison the internet contributes to 5.4 per cent of the economy in the US and 6.9 per cent in China.
The Boston Consulting Group (BCG), which carried out the research, said the internet generated £121 billion for the UK in 2010, which is equivalent to £2,000 per person.
If the internet was regarded as a sector in its own right it would be the fifth biggest in the UK, behind finance, healthcare, construction and education.
BCG also said the importance of the internet to the UK economy would steadily increase over the coming years, with an 11 per cent annual rise until 2016, when it will be worth £221 billion to the economy.
Commenting, communications minister Ed Vaizey told Sky News: ‘The best super-fast broadband in Europe doesn’t just include the headline speeds, it also includes the cost.
‘We have a very competitive telecoms market in the UK which means actually most people can access broadband at a decent price.
‘That’s a very important factor. There’s no point having a super-fast pipe going past your house if you can’t actually connect on to it.’
In a further sign of the importance of the internet to daily lives in the UK, 78 per cent of respondents said they would give up coffee rather than being forced to go offline, while 76 per cent said they would rather give up chocolate and 65 per cent said they would prefer to give up alcohol, but only 25 per cent said they would rather give up sex.