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Paul Murphy unveils new role of Digital Champion October 28, 2008

Posted by Rich Spragg in DC10+, DIEP, Digital Divide, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, GMDDA, Local Authorities, News, UK Online Centres.
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Paul Murphy MP

Paul Murphy MP

A new high-profile Digital Champion will help promote the Government’s Digital Inclusion agenda, was announced by the Minister for Digital Inclusion Paul Murphy on Friday, 24 October 2008.

The creation of an independent Digital Champion is one of the key proposals to achieve greater digital inclusion included within the new cross-Government report ‘Delivering Digital Inclusion: An Action Plan for Consultation‘, published today.

Around 17 million people in the UK today are excluded from the digital revolution, with no access or experience of the Internet and other digital technologies.

Launching the Action Plan at Holborn Library’s UK Online Centre as part of the National Get online Day, Paul Murphy said:

“Technology and the Internet are now woven into the fabric of our society. However, we cannot ignore the fact that those who are socially excluded are much less likely to have access to and benefit from technology.

“Digital inclusion aims to create a fair society and bring social and economic benefits to individuals, communities and the economy as a whole. It is the links between social and technological disadvantage that makes digital inclusion a priority today.

“The post of Digital Champion will be independent of Government, but will work closely with myself as Minister for Digital Inclusion, the Cabinet Committee and the cross-Government Digital Inclusion Team. The Champion will work as a high-profile public figure who can raise the profile of this agenda, gaining support from industry, the third and public sectors, plus central and local government, whilst maintaining their independence.

“The exact role and responsibilities of the Champion are not yet agreed, that is why we are asking people to respond to this consultation to help us shape our plans for the future. We are eager to hear people’s views on how this new post can work most effectively, and indeed to suggest individuals or organisations to fulfil this role.”

The Digital Champion is just one of more than 70 Government actions listed in the Plan aiming to advance the Government’s Digital Inclusion agenda. Those actions include last week’s announcement by Lord Carter of the work on Digital Britain to secure the UK’s status as a world leader in the knowledge and learning economy.

Paul Murphy said:

“This Action Plan shows that the Government is taking the lead. We want to bring people together from industry and the voluntary sectors, as well as from across Government, so that we can work together and make more impact with the money we’re spending. This Action Plan is an important step to achieve greater co-ordination and co-operation on this important agenda.

“And we are already taking action. You will know that the Department for Children, Schools and Families recently announced its Home Access programme. A fundamental part of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, the home access programme will target those one million children in England who currently do not have access to a computer or internet connectivity at home, starting with pilots in Oldham and Suffolk.

“But the Action Plan isn’t just about what we’re doing at Whitehall level - it also recognises the good work that local authorities and others are already doing across the country, and we want to support that further.

“By all working together, we can make a difference to our 17 million citizens currently excluded from the digital world.”

To support the Action Plan, Communities and Local Government will be publishing new research and resources to help councils and communities deliver digital inclusion initiatives on the ground as well as moving forward with their plans for the Digital Mentors scheme, laid out in the Empowerment White Paper. This group of people will work to support and empower communities, in the UK’s most deprived areas, enabling them to engage with digital technology and media.

Communities Minister Baroness Andrews said:

“The research we have released today very clearly demonstrates access to technology can improve quality of life and opens up new opportunities. We want to ensure that all communities - including the most disadvantaged - can benefit by going digital. The Government’s action plan is an important step, as well as new resources for councils and communities. I look forward to hearing the feedback this consultation produces and to seeing the development of even more inspiring and innovative programmes for digital inclusion.”

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Notes:

  1. Delivering Digital Inclusion: An Action Plan for Consultation is available at http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/deliveringdigitalinclusion.
  2. Digital Inclusion Minister Paul Murphy launched the Action Plan at Holborn Library UK online centre as part of the National Get online Day.
  3. To support the plan, Communities and Local Government is running a programme to increase local authorities’ ability to use technology to provide innovative and successful services; key to helping more people overcome problems, gain self confidence and achieve the ability to fully enjoy, take part in and contribute towards society. Communities and Local Government’s programme (Digital Inclusion Capacity Building Programme) has been developed in consultation with stakeholders, including public, private and third sectors. New resources are being launched today and can be found at http://www.communities.gov.uk/communities/digitalinclusion.
  4. Government has taken steps to improve digital inclusion in the last three years. For example, the Department for Children, Schools and Families introduced the Computers for Pupils programme; through UKOnline centres they have rolled out the myGuide service for the digitally excluded. And the winner of 2007’s Digital Challenge competition, Sunderland City Council, and the nine runners up are continuing to develop good practice for other local authorities so that they can help their communities, particularly the most deprived, to benefit from new technologies.
  5. Calls for Interest: Developing a National Network of ‘Digital Mentors’: Following the commitment in Communities in Control: Real People, Real Power, Communities and Local Government is inviting formal expressions of interest from organisations willing to work with us and each other to develop the network of ‘Digital Mentors’ in deprived communities in England. For more information visit Digital Mentors.
  6. For further details on Action Plan contact Andrew Mathias on 0207 270 0565 or 07973 303984.
  7. For further details about Communities and Local Government initiatives contact their press office on 0207 944 3042.

Gordan Brown launches Digital Britain Report October 17, 2008

Posted by Rich Spragg in Broadband, Digital Divide, Digital Inclusion, GMDDA, Internet, News.
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[From Digital Britain is a necessity by Gordan Brown,
The Times 17th October 2008]

“During the global economic crisis, the attention of governments around the world is quite rightly focused on the financial sector. In the UK, we continue to do whatever is necessary to support our economy during testing times. But at the same time we need to ensure we have the right policies to equip the country with the physical and virtual networks to be innovative, prosperous and productive in the future.

Digital communications networks represent a crucial component of modern Britain’s infrastructure. Digital networks will be to the 21st century what the electricity grid was to the last. Convergence — the coming together of different means of delivering communications — is becoming a reality. Today, we are launching work on The Digital Britain Report, which will provide a converged strategy for a converged future.

Today, the ICT and broadcast sectors in their own right account for nearly 6 per cent of our GDP, £52 billion of turnover and over 500,000 jobs. More than that, they touch every part of the economy, enable every business and enhance the lives of everyone in Britain.

Digital communications are vital to business success and competitiveness, and enrich the social, cultural and educational landscape. Access to digital communications is an increasingly important driver of social mobility and inclusion. Availability of information, and the ability to interact with vast communities of people regardless of location, open up opportunities like never before.

The Open University, founded by Harold Wilson’s Government in 1969, was established in the belief that the “white heat of technology” could open up campus-quality learning to those unable to attend university. As the OU approaches its 40th anniversary, technology is moving us closer to a country connected as one by open, high-speed access to information, learning and entertainment in a way unimaginable 40 years ago.

As these benefits become widespread, it is important that we do not leave people behind. Today, 42 per cent of homes still do not have broadband access. This can have serious implications: OECD tests show that students with one computer at home perform significantly better than those without. More than 90 per cent of jobs now require ICT skills. And families able to e-retail could save nearly £300 per year.

We are already taking steps to address the danger of a gap. We will shortly be bringing forward a Digital Inclusion Action Plan, and we recently announced £300 million of funding to ensure all school-age children have access to the internet.

As a government, we are proud of the success story so far. Our policy to foster a climate for investment, innovation, competition and quality has today delivered choice and value to viewers, listeners, and users. But things are changing fast and we need to keep up.

Five years after the Communications Act 2003 set a world standard in creating a converged regulator (Ofcom), we are seeing yet more innovation as networks converge and the services people enjoy and businesses depend on — video, audio, music, news, interaction — are each delivered by many means, rather than one.

The Digital Britain Report (DBR) will be published in spring, setting out our strategy for harnessing this change. A team led by the Communications, Technology and Broadcasting Minister, Stephen Carter, will study what the current arrangements are delivering, identify where further action is needed and make recommendations for action across a wide range of policy areas. We will be working closely with the companies investing in digital communications, and those who use them and we will be focused on the twin goals of quality and economic success.

The objectives the DBR will look to deliver are open markets; empowered and informed consumers and citizens; universal access to high-quality content, a responsive, up-to-date regulatory framework and, importantly, a world-leading position for the UK in this critical sector.

At this time when the economic wellbeing of the country is under so much scrutiny, a plan for Digital Britain is something we cannot do without.”

Get Online Day 2008 September 30, 2008

Posted by Rich Spragg in Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, Digital Divide, Digital Inclusion, Education, Events, GMDDA, Internet, News, UK Online Centres, e-Skills.
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The second annual Get online day is taking place this year on 24 October 2008.  Part of Campaign for Learning’s Family Learning Festival, it’s another chance for families to  log on and learn more about the world wide web.

One in three adults in the UK still aren’t online, and this includes an estimated 25% of parents. Not being online means those families aren’t taking advantage of the information and benefits the internet has brought to the rest of the population. And it’s disadvantaged or poorer families who are most likely to be missing out.

The digital divide between the ‘haves’ and ‘have not’ of ICT is bigger than ever, and has an impact not just on the individual but on families, the economic and social health of communities, on political processes and public services. It’s time everyone had the skills, access and motivation to make digital choices and take digital opportunities.

By targeting families, the idea is that the digital natives in a family – often the children – will get the digitally divided involved. It’s a chance for families to share their ICT and internet skills, spend time together and learn how the internet could keep on helping in everyday family life.

To find out more information about Get online day - its partners, supporters and some of the activities taking place - please visit the Get online day website: http://www.getonlineday.com/

Government announces plan to close the digital divide September 24, 2008

Posted by Rich Spragg in Broadband, Digital Divide, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Education, GMDDA, Internet, Local Authorities, News, e-Skills, schools.
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Children from jobless and low income families will receive a free computer and free broadband access under major plans to close the digital divide amongst young people.

The £300m investment will help make England one of the first countries in the world to ensure every single young person can use a computer and the internet at home for their education.

Schools Minister Jim Knight said that the achievement gap between rich and poor can only be closed in the modern world if everyone has access to a computer and high speed internet access.

Jim Knight said:

“Home access to ICT has educational, economic and social benefits. In fact it is now clear that pupils without internet access are at a disadvantage to their peers. Home access is increasingly becoming an essential part of a good education and having a computer with internet access should be seen as equally essential as having a school bag, a uniform or a pen and paper. Many of us could not have even dreamed of having a computer in our own home when we were at school, but times have changed and young people are now at a significant disadvantage if they do not have a computer and access to the internet. They are no longer luxury items, but are essential for a good education.

“It is unacceptable that the digital divide is growing with 35 per cent of families having no access to the internet and around a million children having no computer at home. That’s why we are taking this unprecedented step.

“But this isn’t simply about handing out laptops and plugging them into broadband. Of course this is central to our plans but a laptop that’s never used will not close the digital divide. What’s important is what young people use computers for. I want young people using the internet to study and research their school work and to find information that would normally be difficult to get hold of.

“What I find particularly exciting is that young people can then show their parents and grandparents how to use the internet so they can benefit from the vast amount of information available at their fingertips.”

The announcement follows an independent report published today by leading industry and educational experts who make up the ‘Home Access Taskforce’. The taskforce recommended boosting educational equality by ensuring that every 5-19 year-old can log on to the internet at home by 2011.

While further investigation is being carried out into the requirements of learners aged 5-7, the initial ‘Home Access’ package includes:

    • broadband for all young people between 7 - and 19-years-old whose families are eligible;
    • a free laptop or other computer with relevant software and hardware bought with a ‘Home Access’ voucher; and
    • support covering important areas such as internet safety, effective use of technology for learning and a technical support helpline.

    The programme will begin in November 2008 with targeted funding available for all local authorities to provide home access for groups such as looked after children and others for whom the authority has special responsibility. The wider programme will be piloted in early 2009 in two local authority areas, with expansion to the rest of England starting in autumn 2009. Families in receipt of income support or unemployment benefits will be able to apply for a ‘Home Access’ Grant which they can use to purchase a package from accredited suppliers. The programme aims to work towards universal home access by 2011.

    Digital Inclusion Minister sees Merseyside communities getting connected June 24, 2008

    Posted by Rich Spragg in AIMES, Community Development, DC10+, DC10plus, Digital Inclusion, Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme, Education, GMDDA, Liverpool, Merseyside, News, North West England, St Helens, Training.
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    Huw Irranca-Davies, MP visiting a PACT session at SLP in LiverpoolDigital Inclusion Minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited Liverpool and St. Helens last week to see how the Merseyside region is leading the way in making IT facilities more accessible to local communities.

    Mr Irranca-Davies visited the Parents and Children Together (PACT) project, run by EverybodyOnline and held at South Liverpool Personnel, which runs a series of taster sessions to help local parents access the internet, learn new skills and find out how technology could improve their lives.

    Following this he went onto St. Cuthbert’s Catholic Community College for Business and Enterprise in St. Helens to hear about the Community Grid concept, which provides the local community with easy-to-use, low-cost, low-energy home access to the internet and other computing resources.

    Commenting on the projects he had seen Mr Irranca-Davies said: “The two projects I have seen today are great examples of how we can make the latest technologies accessible to people who, without projects such as these, would not have access to the internet and other computer resources.

    “By teaching parents basic information about the internet they can make sure their children are safe online as well as finding out how they can use the internet for day-to-day chores such as online shopping and online money management. I hope other areas can learn from this innovative project.

    Huw Irranca-davies, MP visiting the Community Grid project at St Cuthbert\'s School“All too often we hear about the expense of the equipment and technology needed to connect to the internet being a barrier for many people. Thanks to the Community Grid project over 600 homes in St. Helens and Liverpool will have access to software applications and the internet.

    “By providing people with all the connectivity, hardware, software, licensing and maintenance overheads Community Grid is removing these barriers and giving people the access they need.

    “The PACT project and the Community Grid should be congratulated for their innovative projects which are helping people in the North West of England become more digitally included.”

    The Community Grid digital inclusion project is led by AIMES, (a spin out of the University of Liverpool) and its technology partner, e-communications specialist OciusB2, more information here.  It is part of a wider initiative, the Digital Inclusion & Enterprise Programme (DIEP), which aims to roll the service out to over 5,000 households in Merseyside.