Lane-Fox rallies industry support to deliver Government plans

The Government’s digital champion Martha Lane-Fox is drafting in digital firms to help deliver Government objectives of providing web access for the 10m who are not online.

Martha Lane-Fox
Martha Lane-Fox

More than 430 firms and charities, including ITV, the Post Office, Internet Advertising Bureau, Google, Charity Technology Trust, Sainsbury’s, Media Trust and Microsoft, have signed as partners in a drive to create a fully networked UK.

Industry partners are being asked to develop strategies that communicate the benefits of the internet to the 10m potential new online customers, as well as devising packages that can help open up access to those without computer facilities using the existing infrastructure in jobcentres, museums, schools, libraries and other public places.

Device and connectivity retailers are being asked to provide tailored internet access packages for people on low incomes and the elderly, with low up-front costs, affordable monthly payments and ongoing support, while charities are being drafted in to help provide web access and training.

The Race Online manifesto, launched this morning, follows on from support from major UK brands earlier this year.

Last October, Ofcom launched a consortium comprising BBC, BSkyB, BT and Channel 4 to promote take-up of digital technologies in the UK, as part of the former Labour Government’s recommendation in the Digital Britain report.

A report last year by PricewaterhouseCoopers said the economic benefit of the entire UK population being online would be £22bn.

Lane-Fox’s Race Online manifesto can be viewed here.

This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk