Digital Britain strategy is to be headed up by Stephen Timms

A recent government announcement has confirmed that delivery of the forthcoming Digital Britain strategy is to be headed by the Stephen Timms, the Treasury Minister.

Lord Stephen Carter, the former Communications Minister, who has now left his government position and is likely to pursue a private sector role in the future, had original created the Digital Britain plan and had been instrumental in its release.

In his new role in the Digital Britain strategy Stephen Timms with his previous role as an eCommerce Minister, his position as an Ovum technology analyst and his work at Logica, is set to bring a huge amount of experience from his past in the IT industry.

Timms will take the new title of Parliamentary under-secretary of state and will report directly to Ben Bradshaw at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Lord Mandelson at the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, although he will retain his current ministerial position as financial secretary to the Treasury.

Timms said “Building a 21st century knowledge economy is at the heart of government’s vision. It’s vital for jobs and growth that Britain is able to maximise the benefits of the digital revolution. I look forward to driving this project forward in my joint role working in the Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.”

He went on to add “At the top of my in-tray will be plans to ensure faster broadband access for homes and businesses and combating digital piracy – as we move towards publication of the Digital Economy Bill.”

Timms will be overseeing the delivery of 2Mbps broadband services to every household in the UK as part of the governments universal service commitment and in order to help pay for the rollout of high-speed fibre optic broadband services throughout the UK he will be bringing out the new highly controversial 50p per month broadband tax on phone lines.

Source – Computing