CBI COMMENTS ON DIGITAL BRITAIN REPORT
The CBI today (Tuesday) commented on the Digital Britain report from Lord Carter.
John Cridland, CBI Deputy Director-General, said:
“One of the most important issues in the UK at the moment is the state of the public finances. The government needs to deliver public services much more efficiently, and today’s report recognises that next-generation broadband has an important role to play. It could help transform services in areas ranging from health to the criminal justice system.
“The government should put in place the right conditions so that the private sector can lead the way in making essential investments in next-generation, higher-speed broadband. Given the state of the public finances it is right not to throw new money at the Digital Britain project, and should instead strengthen the demand case for higher-speed broadband as part of its industrial activism agenda, including the shift to a low-carbon economy.
“The government should also improve digital literacy so that everyone can be part of a digital Britain.”
16 June, 2009
Notes to Editors:The CBI is the UK's leading business organisation, speaking for some 240,000 businesses that together employ around a third of the private sector workforce. With offices across the UK as well as in Brussels, Washington and Beijing, the CBI coordinates British business representation around the world.
Media Contact:CBI Press Office on 020 7395 8239 or out of hours pager on 07623 977854