Sub menu

Digital Britain

What's the policy about?

Digital Britain outlines the Government's vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy. One of the main objectives is to “develop the nation’s digital skills at all levels.” (p.9) This is to be achieved through:

Modernising and upgrading the wired, wireless and broadcasting infrastructure
Providing a favourable climate for investment and innovation
Britain as a global centre for the creative industries in the digital age
The need for government to continue to modernise and improve through digital delivery of public services

The report sets out the effects of the internet on different aspects of our lives, for example:

The link between digital exclusion and social exclusion and the role of the internet and other technologies in improving social mobility
The ability to find out easily about ways to improve health, like healthy eating, dieting or exercise
The social and financial benefits of being able to shop online, e.g. saving time and using price comparison websites
The benefits of greater independence for people who have disabilities or are unable to go out
The access we now have to a wide range of communication 'channels', from email to mobile phone, instant messaging, Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and social networking sites which allow us to communicate with people around the world instantly and for free. The ease of self publishing to a wide audience is also noted here

The report also argues that improved technology supports social mobility, financial savings, educational attainment, improved salary prospects, democratic engagement and satisfaction with public services.

How does it link to IAL?

This paper states that informal adult learning and the digital agenda are linked in a variety of ways, and that digital technology provides a number of opportunities for informal adult learning. As well as providing new innovative ways to communicate, it also allows learning to be accessible for a wide range of people. This link is noted in terms of both learning about computers and as a means to access informal learning opportunities. For example:

Informal learning can help people learn new technology and communication skills, like how to use a computer, how to make a podcast, how to shop online, how to use a digital camera, how to access public services online
Learning how to use computers can “awaken” people’s appetite for learning, for example 64% of visitors to UK online centres progress onto other learning-related activity or employment (p35)
The ability to use ICT helps people find information through websites about classes near to where they live or work, like the School of Everything website
Use of ICT also broadens people’s learning opportunities, for example through giving people the ability to find about learning online if their work or other circumstances make it difficult to attend face to face classes
The paper notes that people without ICT skills are increasingly likely to miss out on learning opportunities (p32)
This is particularly important for people with disabilities, with responses to the Digital Britain consultation suggesting that for these groups the potential benefits of using digital technologies may be very great (p38)

Who is it aimed at?

Although the White Paper is concerned with UK society as a whole, its specific focus is on digitally and socially excluded sections of the population.

What’s happened?

The White Paper states that as of June 2009, Government policy on digital inclusion has led to a number of initiatives to help people get online, which are outlined in the report:

Investment in the People’s Network Programme has led to computers in public libraries providing internet access as well as training on how to use the internet.
UK online centres were formed in 2000 to provide the public with access to computers. There is now a network of 6000 centres around England, and 84% of deprived wards have a centre. Half of the 2 million people that use UK online centres have no formal qualifications and 74% are socially excluded. The centres use myguide, an easily accessible web platform to introduce people to basic ICT concepts and provide training on use of the internet.(p.35)

Digital Britain lists a number of actions to implement the plan to give universal access, including building infrastructure and legislation to help people get online, as well as increasing levels of media literacy. It is also noted that the Government is considering changing copyright regulations to reduce restrictions on distance learning activity (see p228 - 235 for full details). Digital Britain contributed towards the Digital Economy Act, passed in April 2010.

The Technology Strategy Board had been assigned an initial budget of £30 million to advance Digital Britain related innovation.

CLG, DCMS, Libraries and UK online centres will all be involved in the implementation of this policy.