A Digital Britain fit for consumers and citizens
19 March 2009
The Panel submitted its response to the interim Digital Britain report last week, along with numerous other organisations. The response focussed on a few issues we think are of particular importance: the proposed universal service commitment; next-generation broadband access; media literacy; digital television; and digital rights and distribution. The first three are issues we will be following particularly closely during the year as part of our new work plan. We have great hopes for the final report from Digital Britain, but we are conscious this will mark just the beginning of what we hope will be significant developments.
Perhaps even more important than any of the specifics though, is the ambition that consumers and citizens should be central to the creation of Digital Britain. We noted at the outset that there was no one on the Digital Britain Steering Group with specific expertise in understanding and speaking up for the interests of consumers and citizens, and suggested the Government should redress this in some way. We have subsequently heard concern about this omission from others too.
We understand that the Government is working to a tight timetable and that a fast pace is a useful way of focusing minds on resolving key issues, such as 2G liberalisation and the future of Channel 4. But at the same time, the Panel believes that it would be helpful for the Government to take some steps to show how they are taking consumer and citizen interests into account.
One thing that could help give reassurance to interested stakeholders would be to make the process more transparent by setting out clearly, in relation to each policy area, the evidence and analysis that relate to the options under consideration. The Panel would particularly like the Government to present its analysis of how particular policy options would affect the interests of consumers and citizens, including sub-groups such as older people, people in rural areas, disadvantaged people, people with disabilities, people with low incomes and small businesses. The Panel's consumer interest toolkit could be a helpful guide.
Providing this degree of transparency would reduce the risk of unintended consequences and make the successful implementation of the Government’s decisions more likely. It would also give other groups representing consumers and citizens some reassurance that their concerns about lack of representation are undfounded.
Anna