Ribble Valley National News: Government drive to get 7.5 million more people online

Government drive to get 7.5 million more people online

Older people and the less well-off are to be the target of an ambitious campaign to get 7.5 million new internet users online by 2014, Stephen Timms, Minister for Digital Britain announced today.

The Government has set a target of 60% reduction in the 12.5 million people who are not online in the UK. The target underpins a new drive to reduce the digital divide in the Government's National Digital Participation Plan, published today.

The Plan is supported by the skills and expertise of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Participation - 60 public and private organisations that work to help people gain the confidence to get online, reap the benefits the Internet brings and get the most from today's digital society.

Minister for Digital Britain, Stephen Timms, said:

“Being online is crucial for participation in the 21st Century society – the Internet unlocks a wealth of information and services, giving people more choice in life and access to a range of education, health and financial opportunities.

“That is why we have set an ambitious target to get 60% of those 12.5 million people who aren't online, online in four years. Our National Plan is an exciting project which will provide the leadership and framework for existing and emerging digital participation projects to drive a more inclusive Digital Britain.

“Bringing people online for the first time and enabling people to interact more creatively will enrich our society and we will ensure no one is left behind.”

Helen Milner, Managing Director for UK Online Centres, said:

“It's great to have National Plan for all digital participation stakeholders and providers to unite behind as a blueprint for action over the coming months and years. It's by working together that we can make the biggest impact on the digital divide, and make sure everyone gets the chance to take part in a truly Digital Britain.”

Government is already funding digital participation activity which will contribute to the National Plan's ambition including:

· Up to £12m to support the Plan through work of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Participation (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills)

· £300m for the Home Access programme to provide free computers and internet connections to 270,000 families with school children (Department for Children, Schools and Families)

· £30m over three years for UK Online Centres under the Smarter Government initiative

In addition, the Government's Universal Service Commitment will pave the UK's networks with good quality broadband so by 2012, every home and business will be able to access a connection capable of at least 2Mpbs.

The Plan sets out the widely shared benefits being online bring to all aspects of society:

For citizens: financial savings, educational opportunities, employment potential, improved salary prospects, facilitating independent living for the elderly, access to online public services

For industry: a fully-digitally skilled workforce is vital to business and commercial growth, increased commercial opportunities,

For Government: building a world leading digital knowledge economy stimulating growth and the UK's ability to compete globally.

The Plan has been developed with a significant contribution from the Digital Participation Consortium whose 60 members including OFCOM, Google, BBC, Sky, UK Online Centres and Age UK, are working collaboratively to help meet the Government target and promote the importance of being online across the UK.

Posted Tuesday March 2^nd 2010
By Department for Business, Innovation and Skills