THE GREATEST EVER TECHNOLOGY GIVEAWAY

UK ONLINE LAUNCHES 'GET STARTED' - THE GREATEST EVER TECHNOLOGY GIVEAWAY

Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Patricia Hewitt, e-Envoy Andrew Pinder and Chief Executives from across the private and voluntary sectors today 'clicked off' the greatest ever technology give-away to encourage people to use the internet and experience the benefits of going online. Over 8000 online centres will now be offering free internet starter sessions until the end of June.

The campaign is aimed at non users which typically include older people, people with disabilities, those on low incomes, ethnic minority groups, the long-term unemployed and lone parents. Anyone taking an internet starter session will be entered into a prize draw with the chance of winning holidays, digital cameras, free internet connections and PCs.

Patricia Hewitt launched the campaign at Drapers City Foyer in Bethnal Green, one of the first UK online centres, by clicking on a 'giant' mouse.

Ms Hewitt, said: "The Get Started campaign is truly innovative and provides an excellent model for how we in Government should be working with the private and voluntary sectors. Together we will not allow the digital divide to grow.

"The internet is for everybody - as are the 6,000 UK online centres. During the campaign, the biggest ever to get people online, we'll be offering anyone who wants it a free internet starter session."

The campaign is aimed at people like Isabel, an older user from Newcastle:
"Six months ago I didn't know anything about computers at all and was frightened to touch the keyboard. Now I can get onto the internet and look up things about the local area for our residents' group. When I come to the centre they work at my speed, I don't feel silly or stupid. They tell you clearly how to do things. It's made a lot of difference in my life."

Anyone wishing to find their nearest participating online centre should call Freephone 0800 771234 (Textphone 0800 085 0853 for people with hearing difficulties). Those with Sky TV can press the 'interactive' button on their remote control and then number 8 for UK online.

The Get Started campaign is supported by Age Concern, Arriva, BT, Cable & Wireless, Citizens Advice, Dixons Stores Group, Expedia, Ethnic Minority Foundation, Granada Media, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Microsoft, the National Library for the Blind, One Parent Families, Packard Bell, the RNID and The Prince's Trust. In addition, the BBC is coinciding its WebWise campaign with the Get Started campaign.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• The campaign is running from 12th May to 30th June 2003 and is offering free internet starter sessions at all participating online centres.
• For more information on the campaign, go to www.ukonline.gov.uk/getstarted
• Friends and family members who are already online will be able to download guidance to help mentor new users by going to www.ukonline.gov.uk/angel
• UK online is a partnership between Government, industry, the voluntary sector, trades unions and consumer groups, to ensure the UK is a world leader in the new knowledge economy
• The Digivan parked outside Drapers City Foyer today demonstrates that internet access is not only available at UK online centres. The Peabody Trust, one of London's oldest housing associations, use a mobile UK online centre (The Digivan) equipped with state of the art satellite technology to bring internet access to deprived inner city communities in Southwark, London.

Launch attendees:

Private sector partners:
Charles Allen CBE, Executive Chairman, Granada Media
Paul Gerhardt, Acting Controller of Education, BBC
Pierre Danon, Chief Executive Retail, BT
Bob Davies, Chief Executive, Arriva
Nick Barley, Director of Marketing UK, Microsoft plc
Rick Skett, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Intel
Steve Borges, Director of Marketing, Dixons Stores Group
Paul Steeles, Director of Public Sector, Hewlett Packard
Graham Hopper, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Packard Bell
Gareth James, Chief Operating Officer, Cable & Wireless (UK)

Voluntary sector partners:
Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern England
Shani Fancett, Director of CABnet, Citizens Advice
Krishna Sarda, Chief Executive, Ethnic Minority Foundation
Helen Brazier, Chief Executive, National Library for the Blind
Kate Green, Director, One Parent Families
John Low, Chief Executive, Royal National Institute for the Deaf
Rob Whitmore, Regional Director for London, The Prince's Trust

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