Digital Britian Implementation Plan August 2009
DIGITAL BRITAIN
IMPLEMENTATION PLAN
AUGUST 2009
INTRODUCTION
On 16 June 2009, the Government published the Digital Britain Final Report
(Cm 7650) (http://www.culture.gov.uk/what_we_do/broadcasting/6216.aspx).
It contained over 70 actions, most of which require further action to
implement. Work is already ongoing across Government and outside it.
Following Ministerial changes, this paper formally sets out the future
governance arrangements and overall programme plan for the delivery of the
actions contained in the Final Report.
This paper also sets out responsibility for delivery of the actions arising from
Digital Britain. It does not set out timing around every item of the programme.
Each workstream may proceed at a slightly different pace depending on the
nature of the work, the need for consultation or legislation and the links to
other workstreams. In general, though, immediate or preparatory actions will
be completed in the Summer or Autumn, with longer term projects stretching
to 2012 or beyond.
Chapter 9 of the Digital Britain Final Report set out a number of actions across
all workstreams with timings for delivery. We will report on progress against
the timetable in the Autumn.
The paper is divided into three parts:
1) Programme
Governance;
2)
Implementation of proposals requiring legislation; and
3)
Implementation of non-legislative proposals.
Legislative Proposals are those actions which will be taken forward in the
Digital Economy Bill, subject to Parliamentary time.
Non-legislative proposals are the actions which do not require legislation, but
which do require further action. In some cases these actions may be for a
third-party, such as Ofcom, in which case Government’s role will primarily be
to monitor progress rather than direct implementation.
Digital Britain will remain a joint programme led by the Department for
Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and
Sport, supported by other relevant cross Government activity, including the
work of the new Champion for Digital Inclusion, Martha Lane Fox.
Building on the extensive stakeholder engagement leading to the Digital
Britain Final Report, we will continue actively to engage with all stakeholders
from across the sector on both legislative and non-legislative implementation.
Delivering the actions contained in the Digital Britain Final Report is critical to
maintaining and furthering the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading
digital knowledge economies.
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SECTION 1: PROGRAMME GOVERNANCE
A new Governance Structure is required for implementing Digital Britain.
Annex 1 sets out an Organogram showing the new structure.
The actions contained in the Digital Britain Final Report will be delivered
through a number of individual projects, usually managed within one of BIS
or DCMS. Full details are contained in Annex 2.
These workstreams will report to a Programme Board, responsible for
ensuring delivery of the entire programme, monitoring progress, and ensuring
value for money.
To ensure that partners outside the immediate two departments (such as
Ofcom and the BBC) help us deliver the actions in the Digital Britain Final
Report a Digital Partner Contact Group will bring meet regularly and report
to the Programme Board. This Group will exist to maintain relationships
between different delivery partners and track progress where delivery is
outside the immediate control of BIS and DCMS.
Day to day responsibility for the Digital Britain Programme rests with David
Hendon (BIS) and Jon Zeff (DCMS) who act jointly as Senior Responsible
Owners (SROs) for the work. They will ensure Ministers are fully informed and
involved.
Digital Britain Programme Board
The Digital Britain Programme Board will meet on a bi-monthly basis.
Chair
Alternately chaired by Ministers at BIS and DCMS.
Membership
David Hendon (BIS), Jon Zeff (DCMS), Andrew Stott (Cabinet Office), John
Suffolk (Government Chief Information Officer - CIO), TBC (HM Treasury), Ian
Fletcher (Intellectual Property Office - IPO), Chris Woolard (Ofcom), Board
Secretary (TBC), lawyers (DCMS/BIS), Dominic Morris (BIS/DCMS), Ruth
McKenzie (DCMS), Martha Lane Fox (Champion for Digital Inclusion).
Digital Partner Contact Group
The Digital Partner Contact Group will meet on a bi-monthly basis and report
to the Programme Board.
Chair
David Hendon (BIS), Jon Zeff (DCMS)
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Membership to include
John Suffolk (CIO), Stewart Purvis (Ofcom/Chair Consortium of
Stakeholders), Graham Walker (Director, Office of the Champion for Digital
Inclusion), MD of Network Procurement and Design Group (TBC), David Scott
(CEO, Digital UK), Helen Milner (UK Online Centres), Seetha Kumar (BBC
Digital Inclusion Champion), Stephen Hillier (BIS), Karen Price (e-Skills UK),
Dinah Caine (Skillset), Sarbjit Bakhshi (UK Trade and Investment - UKTI).
Central coordination and monitoring
A small team will support the Digital Britain Programme Board and the Digital
Partner Contact Group. This team will be responsible for:
Overall monitoring of the implementation, both legislative and non-
legislative against agreed project plans;
Maintaining an up to date risk register/issues log and providing updates
to the Programme Board;
Agreeing agendas with SROs and assembling papers for the bi-monthly
Programme Board meeting;
Escalating issues to Board members as necessary between regular
meetings;
Weekly report to SROs;
Providing secretariat support to the Digital Partner Contact Group;
Assisting in monitoring the implementation in particular of the non-
legislative projects against an agreed project plan;
Maintaining an up to date risk register/issues log on non-legislative
actions; and,
Tracking milestones and deliverables for the non-legislative actions.
Links to other Government work
Digital Britain is an important component of the Government’s overall
programme, and in particular the New Industries, New Jobs strategy. The
SROs and central team will ensure the Digital Britain Programme reports in to
all relevant processes and that links to other projects are maximised.
As set out in the Digital Britain Report, UKTI is responsible for developing and
implementing the UK ICT (information and communication technology) and
Creative Industry Marketing Strategies, aimed at helping all sectors of the
Digital Community promote the UK’s digital economy around the world. UKTI
will sit on the contact group for Digital Britain to ensure the marketing
strategies reflect the policy programme.
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SECTION 2: IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPOSALS REQUIRING
LEGISLATION
The legislative proposals set out in the Final Report will be taken forward
through the Digital Economy Bill. The Government’s Draft Legislative
Programme was published on 29 June as part of “Building Britain’s Future”
(Cm7654)1. This included the Digital Economy Bill as part of the theme
‘building tomorrow’s economy today’.
The Bill is already managed by a joint Bill Team between DCMS and BIS, led
by Colin Perry. Its aim is to ensure the smooth and successful delivery of the
Bill, subject to Parliamentary time. The Bill Team is responsible for the day-to-
day coordination, liaison, management and reporting on progress. They keep
all members of the extended Bill family informed of developments in relation to
the Bill and work closely with the lead lawyers. The Bill team is also
responsible for maintaining contact with other key players in the Cabinet
Office and Parliament.
In terms of individual Governance, a Bill Project Board oversees the delivery
of the Bill. It meets on a six weekly basis, with written weekly progress
updates provided by the core Bill Team. Members of the Project Board are the
SROs, the core Bill Team and the lead BIS/DCMS lawyers.
There is also a Bill Management Group (BMG) to track progress and drive
delivery of the Bill. Its key functions are to:
- track progress against the delivery plan;
- identify delays, problems and agree action to address them;
- keep the extended Bill family informed of emerging issues; and
- ensure accountability of everyone involved to the whole Bill family for
individual contributions.
The permanent members of BMG are the core Bill Team, the lead lawyers,
the IPO and the Deputy Director leads across both departments. Other policy
leads attend as appropriate. BMG is chaired by the Bill Team Leader (Colin
Perry) and meets on a fortnightly basis.
1 http://www.hmg.gov.uk/media/27749/full_document.pdf
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SECTION 3: IMPLEMENTATION OF NON-LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS
Implementation of non-legislative proposals will be carried out through a new
set of projects, each with a lead official. These are currently being established.
The table below sets out the projects and the lead officials.
Annex 2 to this document sets out in detail all of the actions in the Final
Report mapped against these projects.
Project
Lead Dept
Lead Official
1
Digital Economy Bill
Joint
Colin Perry
BIS/DCMS
2
Digital Inclusion and Participation BIS/DCMS Jane
Humphreys/
Chris Dawes
3
Digital Skills
BIS
Matt Hamnett
4
Current and Next Generation
BIS Rachel
Clark
Broadband
5 Spectrum
Modernisation
BIS
Mark Swarbrick
6
Digital Radio Upgrade
DCMS
John Mottram
7 Video
Games
DCMS
Wendy
Parker/Lynne
Kilpatrick
8
Illegal file sharing
BIS
Rachel Clark
9
Contestable Funding
DCMS
Aude Accary-
Bonnary
10
Public Service Content
DCMS
Aude Accary-
Bonnary
11
Independently Funded News
DCMS Dominic
Lake
Consortia
12
BBC/ Independent Production in
BIS/DCMS Stephen
Rosser
the Nations
13
National Digital Security
BIS
Geoff Smith
14
Personal Digital Safety
DCMS
Chris Dawes
15
Online Consumer Protection
BIS
Suzanne
Redding
16 Digital
Government
Cabinet Office Sarah Fogden
17
Digital Delivery Agency
Joint
Stuart Brand
18
Other Relevant Activity
Joint
Various
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ANNEX 1: ORGANOGRAM
JOINT MINISTERIAL RESPONSIBILITY
SROs: David Hendon
and Jon Zeff
DIGITAL BRITAIN PROGRAMME BOARD
DIGITAL PARTNER CONTACT GROUP
To include: John Suffolk (CIO), Graham Walker (Office of
David Hendon (BIS), Jon Zeff (DCMS), Andrew Stott (Cabinet
Champion for Digital Inclusion), Stewart Purvis (Ofcom/Chair
Office), John Suffolk (Cabinet Office), Michael Fekete (HM
Consortium of Stakeholders), MD of Network Procurement and
Treasury), Ian Fletcher (IPO), Chris Woolard (Ofcom), Martha
Design Group (TBC), David Scott (CEO, Digital UK), Helen
Lane Fox (Champion for Digital Inclusion), Board Secretary
Milner (UK Online Centres), Seetha Kumar (BBC Digital
(TBC), lawyer(s) (TBC)
Inclusion Champion), Stephen Hillier (BIS), Karen Price (e-
Skills UK), Dinah Caine (Skillset), Sarbjit Bakhshi (UKTI)
Project 1: Digital Economy Bill
Current and Next Gen BB
Ind.
Spectrum Mo
BBC – Produ
Personal Digital Safety
Digital Delivery Agency
Other Relevant Activit
Inclu
Digital Radio
Conte
Public Servi
Illegal File Sh
Funded Ne
Online Consumer
Digital Government
s
Digital Secu
ion & Particip
Video Gam
Digital Skill
s
tabl
ction/Nation
derni
e Fundin
c
ws Con
Upg
e Conte
e
aring
s
s
rity
ation
satio
r
ad
e
g
n
s
o
n
t
r
y
tia
s
UKTI ICT and Creative Industry Marketing Strategies
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ANNEX 2: PROJECTS
PROJECT 1: DIGITAL ECONOMY BILL
LEAD: Colin Perry
GOVERNANCE
- Bill Project Board oversees the delivery of the Bill. Members are David
Hendon (BIS)/Jon Zeff (DCMS) - joint SROs, Carola Geist-Divver (DCMS
legal), Eve Race and Jose Martinez-Soto (BIS legal), Colin Perry (Bill Team
Leader), Laura Williams (secretariat)
- Bill Management Group tracks progress and drives delivery of the Bill.
Members are Colin Perry (Bill Team Leader) chair, Deputy Directors
BIS/DCMS, Carola Geist-Divver (DCMS legal), Eve Race and Jose Martinez-
Soto (BIS legal), Laura Williams (secretariat). Other policy leads attend as
appropriate.
ACTIONS COVERED FROM THE FINAL REPORT
Amending the Communications Act 2003 to make the promotion of investment
in communications infrastructure and content one of Ofcom’s principal duties.
Ensure the Board of Ofcom has a statutory obligation to write to the
Government alerting Secretaries of State to any matters of high concern
regarding developments affecting the communications infrastructure and in any
event to write every two years giving an assessment of the UK’s
communications infrastructure.
Encouraging, where appropriate, adjoining radio multiplexes to merge and
extending existing multiplexes into currently un-served areas rather than
awarding new licences. Grant Ofcom powers to alter multiplex licences which
agree to merge.
We will make an amendment to the existing legislation to support a change in
the localness regulatory regime to allow location in mini regions defined by
Ofcom.
Grant a further renewal for up to seven years of analogue radio licences for
broadcasters which are also providing a service on Digital Audio Broadcasting
(DAB).
Grant Ofcom new powers to insert a two year termination clause into all radio
licences awarded or further renewed before the Digital Radio Upgrade date.
Provide backstop powers for Ofcom to place additional conditions on Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) to reduce or prevent online copyright infringement by
the application of various technical measures.
8
To pave the way for a more effective framework to deal with orphan works, the
Government proposes to introduce legislation to enable commercial schemes
for dealing with orphan works to be set up on a regulated basis.
Legislate to ensure matched penalties for online and physical copyright
infringement.
Consider whether there is sufficient flexibility to allow commercial Public
Service Broadcasters’ (PSBs) public service obligations to be adjusted up to
and beyond the completion of Digital TV Switchover, in line with the diminishing
value of the licences.
Update the statutory remit for C4 Corporation, having regard to the views of the
Channel 4 Board.
In relation to STV and UTV (Channel 3 licensees for Scotland and Northern
Ireland respectively), ensure that while they continue to produce the majority of
their output for their respective Nations, they have a full and fair chance to
supply into the BBC, C4, ITV plc and five in the UK-wide market. The
Government proposes to bring forward any necessary legislation to give effect
to this objective following a consultation.
Work with Ofcom to enable any appropriate amendments to the relevant
Channel 3 Licensees’ regional news obligations in order to allow for the
development of Independently Funded News Consortia (IFNCs).
Domain names: seek reserve powers in legislation to regulate against the risk
that the entry into the sector of a number of new, and as yet unidentified,
players will mean we need a basis for industry cooperation. These powers may,
for example, enable the Government to direct Ofcom to regulate the distribution
of domain names in the UK.
Consult on the penalties that Ofcom is able to impose for contraventions of the
Communications Act 2003 and, in particular, the level of the fine it can impose
in relation to persistent misuse cases.
Adopt a new and strengthened system of classification for boxed video games
incorporating the newly enhanced Pan European Game Information system
(PEGI).
9
PROJECT 2: DIGITAL INCLUSION/ PARTICIPATION
LEAD: Jane Humphreys/Chris Dawes
ACTIONS COVERED FROM THE FINAL REPORT
Newly appointed Champion for Digital Inclusion, supported by an Expert Task
Force, to review existing activities to help 6 million socially and digitally excluded
people get online.
Champion for Digital Inclusion to develop a drive a coherent cross Government and
cross sector programme of activity to ensure that all have the motivation,
opportunity, and capability to benefit from using the Internet.
Ask Consumer Expert Group to report on the specific issues confronting people
with disabilities’ use of the Internet.
Formation of a Consortium of Stakeholders, led by Ofcom, to drive Digital
Participation. Funding will be made available of up to £12m over three years from
the Universal Service provision announced in Budget 2009. The Champion for
Digital Inclusion will advise on best practice for the Programme.
Ministers, together with the Champion for Digital Inclusion, to evaluate the work of
the Consortium after 12 months.
Invite Board of Channel 4 to consider how it can further contribute to driving Digital
Participation, including consideration of Digital Participation Champion from among
its Senior Management Team.
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PROJECT 3: DIGITAL SKILLS
LEAD: Matt Hamnett
ACTIONS COVERED FROM THE FINAL REPORT
Digital Economy Programme will in its first three years invest £120m in new
research and training to prepare the country for the next 20 years of digital
evolution.
Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has assigned an initial budget of £30m, to
advance this Digital Britain-related innovation.
In the autumn we will clarify the Government’s response to the Estelle Morris
review recommendations on digital life skills and how this will contribute to
digital participation.
Later this year we will publish a Higher Education Framework which will set out
how the activist approach of New Industry, New Jobs will be applied in the HE
sector, including measures which will support strategically important sectors
and markets such as those identified in Digital Britain. This will include looking
at options for evolving the current higher education funding model to ensure
universities have clear incentives to respond quickly to support emerging areas
of potential growth, and setting up HE-industry forums in key sectors to help
align supply and demand.
BIS, in collaboration with the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), is
spending up to £23m over three years piloting a range of business support
interventions for SMEs to assist them to exploit advanced ICT to transform their
business processes.
Whenever Government Departments and Agencies let major new IT contracts,
they will now look to make it a requirement that the successful contractor has in
place a formal training plan for the development of the project workforce. We
will also look to promote investment in skills through Government’s
procurement of creative content.
The Government will be working with Channel 4 and with Skillset in the coming
months to ensure that C4 as Public Service Broadcaster and in line with its new
remit fulfils its unique responsibilities to contributing to the skills needed for a
Digital Britain with a particular emphasis on the potential for their contribution to
diversity.
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PROJECT 4: CURRENT AND NEXT GENERATION BROADBAND
LEAD: Rachel Clark
ACTIONS COVERED FROM THE FINAL REPORT
Establish a delivery body - the Network Design and Procurement Group - at
arm’s length from central Government, to deliver Universal Service
Commitment.
Establish a Final Third Project to deliver at least 90% coverage of Next
Generation broadband for homes and businesses by 2017.
A small general supplement on all fixed lines from 2010 for a Next Generation
Fund.
Linking the Next Generation Fund and the Network Design and Procurement
Group.
£150,000 to support localised and community networks through the
Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA).
Wholesale Markets: (1) Ask community broadband groups for evidence of
where access to existing infrastructure or shared digs could speed up
deployments (2) as part of scheme design for Next Generation Fund to
maximise access (3) Streetworks information 1-2 yrs ahead.
Caio follow up consultation on overhead lines.
12
PROJECT 5: SPECTRUM MODERNISATION
LEAD: Mark Swarbrick
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Technical Arbitration paid for by industry.
Subject to the outcome of the arbitration and the resulting Independent
Spectrum Broker report, a final decision will be made on any implementation of
the proposals outlined in the final report. In the event that the Government
decides to direct Ofcom, the direction will be subject to consultation as required
by statute.
White Spaces: Government encourages Ofcom to carry out the necessary
technical work and testing to establish the parameters for use and will support
Ofcom to achieve the international harmonisation that is required.
Government to consider how best it might support the availability of broadband
on trains.
Engage with the Mayor of London’s office to explore opportunities for mobile on
the Tube.
13
PROJECT 6: DIGITAL RADIO UPGRADE
LEAD: John Mottram
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Develop Action Plan for Digital Radio Upgrade, including a Cost/Benefit
Analysis.
Invite Consumer Expert Group to extend its current scope to inform the
development of the Digital Radio Upgrade.
Facilitate the roll-out of the BBC’s national multiplex to ensure it achieves
coverage comparable to FM by the end of 2014.
Encourage, where appropriate, adjoining local multiplexes to merge and extend
coverage into currently un-served areas. Grant Ofcom powers to alter multiplex
licences which agree to merge.
Allow for the extension of multiplex operators’ licences until 2030, if part of an
agreed plan towards Digital Radio Upgrade.
Consider with Ofcom the case for delaying the implementation of AIP on DAB
multiplexes until after the Digital Radio Upgrade is completed.
Grant Ofcom new powers to extend the licence period of all national and local
licences, broadcasting on DAB, for up to a further seven years, although this
decision will be kept under review. In addition, amend the rules under which
Ofcom grants analogue licence renewals to ensure that regional stations which
do become national DAB stations do not lose their current or future renewal.
Grant Ofcom new powers to insert a two year termination clause into all
licences awarded or further renewed before the Digital Radio Upgrade date.
Work with broadcasters and vehicle manufacturers to implement the ‘Digital
Radio in vehicles: a five point programme’.
Agree with Ofcom a two-year pilot of a new output regulatory regime.
Reduction in number of locally-produced hours in exchange for enhanced
commitment to local news.
Ofcom to consult on a new map of mini-regions which balances the potential
economic benefits but also the needs and expectations of listeners. We will
make an amendment to the existing legislation to support this change.
Consultation seeking views on proposals for a new licence renewal regime for
community radio. This consultation will include proposals to remove the 50%
funding limit from anyone source and the restriction preventing a station being
licensed in an area overlapping with a small commercial service and extending
our commitment to promoting best practice within the community sector and
encouraging self-sustainability by allocating a small portion of the Community
Radio Fund to support the work of the industry body, the Community Media
Association.
14
Insert two year termination clause into all new licences.
Grant Ofcom new powers to extend the licence period of all national and local
licences, broadcasting on DAB, for up to a further seven years (keep this
decision under review). If by the end of 2013 it is clear the Digital Radio
Upgrade timetable will not be achieved we will use the powers, set out above,
to terminate licences and the existing licensing regimes will apply.
Amend the rules under which Ofcom grants analogue licence renewals to
ensure that regional stations which do become national DAB stations do not
lose their current or future renewal.
15
PROJECT 7: VIDEO GAMES
LEAD: Wendy Parker and Lynne Kilpatrick
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Collect and review evidence for a tax relief to promote cultural British video
games.
Examine the options arising from a feasibility study into a new Usability Centre
for Video Games.
Adopt a new and strengthened system of classification for boxed video games
incorporating the newly enhanced Pan European Game Information system
(PEGI).
16
PROJECT 8: ILLEGAL FILE SHARING
LEAD: Rachel Clark
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Consultation on proposals to legislate to give Ofcom a duty aimed at reducing
copyright infringement.
Provide for backstop powers for Ofcom to place additional conditions on ISPs to
reduce or prevent online copyright infringement by the application of various
technical measures.
At the end of the 12 month period there is no significant reduction in unlawful
file sharing Ofcom should use its backstop powers.
Consultation on the trigger mechanism which needs to give both rights holders
and ISPs strong incentives to make the notification system work.
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PROJECT 9: CONTESTABLE FUNDING
LEAD: Aude Accary-Bonnery
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Consultation on Contained Contestable Element of the Licence Fee used by or
channelled through other organisations, primarily for news in the nations, locally
and in the regions.
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PROJECT 10: PUBLIC SERVICE CONTENT
LEAD: Aude Accary-Bonnery
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Discuss with Ofcom how it can take best account of the wider delivery of public
service content in the future, including reviewing Ofcom's statutory duties.
Ofcom may need to adjust commercial PSBs’ other public service obligations
up to and beyond the completion of digital switchover, in line with the
diminishing value of the licences. The Government is willing to consider
legislative change if adjustments beyond Ofcom’s current powers are
considered necessary.
Bring into force Sections 272 and 273 of the Communications Act 2003. This
has two effects: firstly it ensures that commercial PSBs’ programming remains
available on all specified platforms for the remaining duration of their public
service licences; secondly that they can ask Ofcom to bring forward by a year
the re-valuation of their remaining analogue licences.
Take the views of the Channel 4 Board on an updated statutory remit for C4
Corporation.
Amending Communications Act 2003 to make promotion of investment in
content one of Ofcom’s principal duties.
Work with Ofcom to consider how they can assess cost/benefit analysis for “re-
use fees”.
Encourage the BBC Trust to continue to consider proposals to achieve that
greater separation of BBC Worldwide.
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PROJECT 11: INDEPENDENTLY FUNDED NEWS CONSORTIA
LEAD: Dominic Lake
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Mount three pilot IFNCs before 2012 - one in Scotland, one in Wales and one in
an English region. One of the objectives of the pilots will be to test the scope
and scale of commercial funding.
Work with Ofcom to identify and implement any necessary amendments to the
relevant Channel 3 Licensees’ regional news obligations in order to allow for
the delivery of IFNCs.
Identify Governance and funding arrangements following the consultation on
funding (end September 2009).
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PROJECT 12: BBC/INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION IN THE NATIONS
LEAD: Stephen Rosser
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
BBC Trust to encourage the BBC to seek to exceed its targets for enhanced
network production in Scotland for 2012 and subsequently for 2016 to adopt a
comparable approach for Wales and Northern Ireland.
BBC Trust to encourage the BBC to seek to exceed its targets for enhanced
network production in Scotland for 2012 and subsequently for 2016 to adopt a
comparable approach for Wales and Northern Ireland.
In relation to STV and UTV, ensure that while they continue to produce the
majority of their output for their respective Nations, they have a full and fair
chance to supply into the BBC, C4, ITV plc and five in the UK-wide market. The
Government proposes to bring forward any necessary legislation to give effect
to this objective following a consultation.
21
PROJECT 13: DIGITAL SECURITY
LEAD: Geoff Smith
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
UK Government to supports the continuation of the Internet Governance Forum
(IGF) for a further five year term continuing to represent all stakeholders
involved.
UK to support the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN) continuing as the unique not-for-profit multi-stakeholder organisation
with responsibility for the management of the domain name system and it taking
a leadership role in improving standards of the security in the key protocols,
processes and technology that underpins the use of the domain name system.
Domain names: seek reserve powers in legislation to regulate against the risk
that the entry into the sector of a number of new, and as yet unidentified,
players will mean we need a basis for industry cooperation. These powers may,
for example, enable the Government to direct Ofcom to regulate the distribution
of domain names in the UK.
Government to carry out a major test in late 2009 of our ability to manage and
recover from a major loss of network capacity.
The chairman of the Electronic Communications Resilience and Response
Group (ECRG) to make publicly available the planned report to the Secretary of
State for BIS on the work of that group.
Explore the formation of a new tripartite initiative, the Tripartite Internet Crime
and Security Initiative, between parliamentarians, Government and business to
look across the spectrum of issues and responsibilities and at a practical level
look at promoting new efforts in the self regulatory sphere, chaired by Alun
Michael MP.
22
PROJECT 14: PERSONAL DIGITAL SAFETY
LEAD: Chris Dawes
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Support the Information Commissioner’s Office’s (ICO) plans to develop a new
code of practice "Personal Information Online" for consultation later this year.
In order to maintain acceptable media standards and continue to build public
trust and confidence in the self regulatory system through an evolving media
landscape, it is of critical importance to ensure that self regulatory systems are
properly resourced.
Call on the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) membership to propose a more
secure funding model for the future.
Explore with the IWF and the European Commission the scope for a pan-
European model with commensurate funding.
Using National Plan for Digital Participation to promote a one stop shop for
information about how to be safe online.
23
PROJECT 15: ONLINE CONSUMER PROTECTION
LEAD: Suzanne Redding/Rupert Marsh
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Consumer White Paper to outline how UK enforcers including the Office of Fair
Trading, Trading Standards and the Police, as well as business, could work
together on national issues regarding on-line fraud and other consumer
protection crime in order to gather intelligence and tackle them effectively.
Consult on the penalties that Ofcom is able to impose for contraventions of the
Communications Act 2003 and, in particular, the level of the fine it can impose
in relation to persistent misuse cases.
24
PROJECT 16: DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
LEAD: John Suffolk, CIO (Sarah Fogden at the Cabinet Office leads on first two
bullets)
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Starting a Digital Switchover of Public Services Programme in 2012.
Invite each Government department to identify at least two such services to
form part of the next Digital Switchover of Public Services Programme before
2012.
CIO Council to agree a small number of potential areas for tender, and ensure
the availability of a simplified, fast-track process (consistent with EU
procurement rules) aimed at allowing such innovative companies to participate
at the main contractor level rather than seeking sub-contractor status with
incumbent bidders who may not wish to fit the particular innovation into their
wider procurement bid.
Establishment of G-Cloud.
Government to take the necessary steps to secure that the Government CIO
has a ‘double lock’ in terms of accountabilities and sign off for IT procurement.
Government and the Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI), in consultation
with the Office of Fair Trading (OFT), will review progress with Ordnance
Survey’s strategy on a regular, on-going basis, particularly over the next 6 to 12
months.
25
PROJECT 17: DIGITAL DELIVERY AGENCY
LEAD: Stuart Brand, working with Jane Humphreys
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Digital Delivery Agency: DCMS, BIS and Ofcom carry out an assessment, to be
completed by the end of this year, of the opportunity for bringing together either
some or all of the delivery agencies either into one body or through a federated
structure to achieve economies of scale and greater operational efficiency.
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PROJECT 18: OTHER RELEVANT ACTIVITY
LEAD: As below
ACTIONS COVERED FROM FINAL REPORT
Action Responsible
The Technology Strategy Board will lead and coordinate Aude Accary-
the necessary investment for Next Generation Digital
Bonnery/ Tim Cullen
Test Beds and has allocated an initial budget of up to
£10m for this purpose.
OFT to amend guidance to ensure that in cases relating Michel Woodman
to local and regional newspaper mergers raising prima
facie competition issues the OFT will ask Ofcom to
provide them with a Local Market Assessment.
Invite the Audit Commission to undertake a specific
Michel Woodman
inquiry into local authorities paid advertising.
The BBC’s voluntary introduction of its New Media
Stephen Rosser
Rights in 2007 has been widely welcomed and provides
a model that Digital Britain recommends should be
adopted more widely in Government and other public
bodies who commission online content.
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