3:00am Friday 26th June 2009
By Mike Pryce
PEOPLE in rural Worcestershire are at risk of constantly playing digital ‘catch up’ unless there is a firm commitment to improving communications access, warns a new report.
Mind the Gap? Digital England: a Rural Perspective contains a series of recommendations to Government from the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) to ensure the countryside is not left behind.
The report includes an analysis of rural connectivity issues, which is the first time this has been done on a national basis.
It is also part of the organisation’s contribution to the Digital Britain report and says that four areas that must be tackled are: Education and life-long learning; business development; social and community cohesion and equitable access to services.
Dr Stuart Burgess, the chairman of the CRC and the Government’s rural advocate, said: “The issues highlighted in this report are those that rural communities themselves have consistently told us they face when trying to access digital communications.
“I am very pleased that the CRC is taking the lead not only in publishing this significant new report, but also through its work on digital inclusion involving a wide range of stakeholders. I look forward to working with the Government and others to follow up on our recommendations, which we believe will make a real difference to those living and working in rural Worcestershire.”
Minister for Communications, Technology and Broadcasting, Stephen Carter, said: “The CRC’s report rightly highlights the need to ensure rural communities aren’t left behind as the rest of the UK enjoys the benefits of digital technologies, both social and economic.
“In the Digital Britain report we have pledged to deliver quality broadband access to every home, every community and every business across the country by 2012.”
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