Building Britain's Digital Future: Government Unveils Action Plan for the Digital Economy

The Digital Britain Final Report is one of the central policy commitments in the Government’s Building Britain’s Future plan and draft legislative programme.

* Digital Economy central to industrial strength and competitiveness
* Communications Infrastructure critical for future economic growth

London, June 16, 2009: The Digital Britain White Paper, published today, sets out the importance of the Digital Economy to the nation’s economic future, and how it will drive future industrial capability and competitiveness.

Digital Britain is the government’s vision of an economy and society where core working activities are based around knowledge, skills and information. It represents a strategic plan to accelerate growth in the digital industries and cement the UK’s position as a world leader for innovation, investment and quality.

Core Facts

Universal access to today’s broadband services by 2012
Next Generation fund for investment in tomorrow’s broadband services
Upgraded mobile networks
National Plan to improve Digital Participation
Robust legal and regulatory framework to combat Digital Piracy
Support for public service content partnerships and revised digital remit for Channel 4
Funding options for national, regional and local news
Programme of Digital Switchover in Public Services

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Quotes

Stephen A Carter, Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting

“Digital Britain is a statement of intent and ambition, a commitment to infrastructure and access, and an overdue recognition of the Industrial importance of the Creative Industries”.

He added: “The Digital Economy is a case study in the interdependence of competitive markets, regulation, entrepreneurialism, and a strategic approach from Government”

Rt Hon. Gordon Brown MP, Prime Minister

“Digital Britain is about giving the country the tools to succeed and lead the way in the economy of the future.”

“This report shows how we will ensure we have a world-class digital and communications infrastructure, that we promote and protect talent and innovation in our creative industries, that we modernise our TV and radio frameworks and support local news.

“Investing in areas such as broadband access for every home and business and the move from analogue to digital technology will bring benefits across the board, driving growth, enabling businesses to thrive, and providing new opportunities and choices for households right across the country. It is an essential part of building Britain’s future.”

President Barack Obama

“Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age”.

Stephen Fry at the Digital Britain Summit

“We have always had the ability to create structures that are quite bewildering to us. A good example is a city. The Internet is more like a city than anything else. In cities there are slums, there are palaces of wisdom, libraries, museums, art galleries, theatres, places of entertainment and shops. And there are places where you would not want to go down dark alleys, let alone have your children do so, but slowly we let our children learn to use the cities and they do.”

Dr Stuart Burgess Chair of the Commission for Rural Communities and the Government’s Rural Advocate

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to provide a direct contribution to the final Digital Britain report, highlighting the research we have undertaken on access to broadband in rural areas and the conclusions we have drawn about the wider social and economic benefits of digital inclusion and access. As part of our digital inclusion work, we now look forward to playing a full role in following up on the recommendations in Lord Carter’s report to ensure the best possible outcomes for rural communities.

“On Tuesday 23 June we will be launching a report ‘Mind the Gap: Digital England – a rural perspective’ setting out issues and opportunities for people living and working in rural communities to benefit from the advantages of new technologies both now and in the future. Access to the best technology available is as essential to rural areas as it is to urban.”