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PRIME MINISTER Report from the e-Minister and acting e-Envoy - 30 June 2000 This is our sixth report to you on progress towards the Government’s goal of developing the UK as the best place in the world for e-commerce. This report gives an overview of developments since our last report. As before, it is structured around the work in hand to deliver the modern markets, confident people and businesses, and leading edge government which the UK needs to succeed. Reports from Scotland and Wales are also included. A more detailed report on progress against each of the 60 commitments in our e-commerce strategy, e-commerce@its.best.uk, is attached. Of the 60 commitments 15 have been completed, 9 are behind schedule and 36 are on target. a) Modern markets : getting the market framework right Communications During June we have continued our drive to bring more competition into the UK’s communications market:
On 8 June Patricia published a report from the Radiocommunications Agency on ‘Mapping the Future of Convergence and Spectrum Management’. This takes an imaginative approach to looking at how we might use radio to communicate and do business in 2010. Fiscal On 28 June, Stephen Timms highlighted the tremendous opportunities of developments in technology for the modernisation of the world's tax systems in a speech to the OECD’s Forum 2000. Regulatory In line with our commitment to a co-regulatory approach, on 22 June OFTEL published proposals to encourage greater involvement by consumer groups and the telecoms industry in protecting consumers’ interests. OFTEL’s proposals look at areas where there could be a greater role for consumer and industry groups to promote initiatives such as information on pricing, contract terms, complaint handling and dispute resolution. The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Bill began its Committee Stage in the House of Lords on 12 June. Part I of the Bill covering the interception provisions, including lawful interception of Internet services, took two days in Committee. Parts II and III of the Bill covering intrusive surveillance and provisions for decryption of lawfully acquired protected information will be debated on 28 June when we expect the Bill to complete its Committee stage. The main concerns expressed during the passage of the Bill in the House of Lords are exactly those that were heard during its Commons’ stages, namely disquiet over the costs to industry of maintaining an interception regime and the powers contained in the Bill to demand keys to decrypt data. The Government have tabled further amendments which we hope will alleviate any remaining concerns. EU We were pleased that the Feira European Council on 19-20 June endorsed the comprehensive eEurope 2002 Action Plan. It will contribute significantly to managing the economic and social changes that we will need to make Europe a dynamic knowledge-based economy. The Action Plan gives a coherent strategic direction and a strong message to prioritise our work and monitor progress. Priorities are cheaper internet access, accelerating e-commerce and bolstering ICT skills - other actions flow from these three vital drivers of e-commerce. If we get them right early, we will create the wealth and confidence to deliver the other means of achieving a wired society - e.g. access to public services and a low cost/high speed network infrastructure. The UK is also working to ensure that the G8 Summit in Kyushu/Okinawa in July gives a political push to e-commerce international issues, including the digital divide and co-operation on co-regulatory schemes to strengthen consumer confidence. Completion of a regulatory framework in Europe continues to evolve on a monthly basis. On 31 May, Member States approved on the so-called "safe harbour" agreement on Data Privacy, which was developed by the EU and the US in response to the provisions in the Directive on the protection of personal data limiting transfers of data outside the EU unless adequate data protection exists in the receiving jurisdiction. The Council reached political agreement on 8 June on the Directive on Copyright and related rights in the Information Society. On 16 June, it also adopted the E-money Directive, which deals with the issue and supervision of electronic cash, e.g. pre-paid or rechargeable devices such as cards useable for settling low-value electronic transactions. b) Confident people and businesses Helping Businesses We are finalising this year’s international benchmarking study results and expected have encouraging results for the numbers of small businesses on line. Work is underway to develop the next phase of the Information Society Initiative (ISI) marketing campaign as part of a strategy that takes us to the new UK Online related brand. In this respect, the Chancellor’s budget announcement of an extra £10m to the ISI is being directed very much towards providing a deeper level of advice and help to small businesses - to help them make more effective use of e-business practices. On 29 June we unveiled a high-level new partnership between several key National Training Organisations and Government, along with a raft of initiatives to ensure UK businesses have employees with the skills and knowledge needed for e-commerce to thrive. Alex will head a new strategic group that will undertake initiatives aimed at developing a new skills strategy for IT, electronics and communication careers. On 22 June you told members of the Global Borrowers and Investors Forum that the Government is working hard to make Britain ‘the European hub of the emerging global economy... in effect, Europe's corporate headquarters’. You said that the Government is putting in place a new framework for bringing together the way trade and investment in Britain is promoted. On 14 June Lord Sainsbury announced a multi-million pound Government investment in the future of the UK’s optical technology industry. The new LINK programme ‘Optical Systems for the Digital Age’ will support collaboration between industry, (especially small and medium sized enterprises) and universities on projects involving the development and use of novel optical systems having a wide range of applications - particularly in computing and communications. They allow high-bandwidth multimedia services to be delivered through the internet; and provide greater network flexibility and functionality for mobile communications services. Helping People On 28 June, Stephen Byers launched the Performance and Innovation Unit’s report on modernising the Post Office. Among other recommendations was that the Post Office should diversify into new lines of business, including e-commerce, acting as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for Government information and transactions and offering internet learning and access. On 28 June the DTI’s Foresight programme launched a consultation document ‘@ Your Service’, which aims to spark a UK-wide debate on the future of home delivery in an age of electronic shopping. Amongst other things the report looks at the environmental impact of the logistical support that will be needed for an increase in home deliveries. Trust We are driving forward with initiatives aimed at improving trust in e-commerce. On 20 June Kim Howells announced that the DTI would provide half a million pounds towards a number of innovative regional, information age projects aimed at increasing consumer protection. These include:
The European Commission this month also undertook a number of actions aimed at encouraging safer use of the internet:
c) e-government: exploiting ICT to transform public services Government use of the Internet On 14 June the Public Accounts Committee published its report on Government on the Web. Four general points emerged:
Electronic Services On 5 June Malcolm Wicks launched an invitation to the private sector to enter into partnership to deliver a multifunction smartcard, to be called a ‘Connexions Card’. This will be issued to teenagers who stay on in learning after age 16. The aim is to launch the Card in Autumn 2001. It will give discounts; act as an ‘electronic purse’; and hold CV information. On 7 June Melanie Johnson launched a national statistics website. This enables internet users to gain access to a range of statistics about UK national life. The statistics are arranged around 13 themes such as ‘commerce and industry’, ‘crime and justice’ and ‘education’. Clicking on the themes enables users to access a whole range of up-to-date information. On 16 June Jacqui Smith announced the launch of a new website to help teachers to encourage more parents to get involved in their children’s schools. The site will be available from the end of June as part of the Standards Site, which provides guidance and tools to help schools improve their effectiveness, raise standards, and reduce workloads. On 19 June Gisela Stewart announced the second phase in the move to ensure that every person in the country has their own electronic patient record. 13 demonstrator sites will receive an additional £5.85 million from the IT Modernisation Fund to explore how information systems and electronic records can be used to improve the delivery of patient care. On 20 June the Lord Chancellor launched HM Land Registry's brand new Land Registry Direct service - a major step towards the Government's goal of full electronic conveyancing. The new service will provide low-cost, secure online access to over 17 million computerised registers and title plans, with millions more coming online on a daily basis, as the Registry continues its extensive document scanning programme. In time it will enable electronic access to many millions of registers, title plans and ‘deeds referred to’ on the Land Register. On 27 June, the Employment Service announced plans for:
Also on 27 June, David Lock launched a strategy paper setting out how information age technology can be used to improve the delivery of civil justice. d) Devolved Administrations National Assembly for Wales Electronic Services Jane Hutt, Assembly Health Secretary, announced an injection of £900,000 into Telemedicine in Wales, which will help tackle health inequalities by improving access to diagnosis and treatment. The installation of video conferencing facilities throughout Wales will be developed resulting in a huge time saving for senior NHS staff and health professionals. Initially, the network will be used for professional training and service management, but as experience grows this will be extended to benefit patient care. In addition to the video conferencing network, NHS bodies will also be invited to submit proposals for two to three year pilots of tele-dermatology and minor injuries services. These will be operational scale and will build on the successful pilots that are already running in England. The projects are expected to have a dramatic impact on waiting times as well as keeping patient services local. e-democracy The Assembly continues to improve its openness and accessibility with Andrew Davies, Assembly Business Secretary, announcing that the minutes from the business committee will be published to the Internet six weeks after the meeting. The all-party business committee advises on the management and scheduling of business through the Assembly. The First Secretary already publishes the cabinet meeting minutes in this way. Scottish Parliament In Scotland, Henry McLeish, Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, launched e-commerce week. Over 30 events were organised by Scottish Enterprise to raise awareness of e-commerce within the business community by offering workshops, seminars, and demonstrations throughout Scotland. Mr McLeish emphasised the massive potential of on-line trading and the Executive’s commitment to ensuring that e-commerce becomes an integral part of the business community. Wendy Alexander, Minister for Communities, announced a package of measures to help bridge the divide between the digital haves and have-nots. She announced a £500,000 boost for voluntary organisations to buy computers and train their staff in IT, and a scheme which will allow voluntary sector organisations to lease Internet-ready PCs for just £23.99 per month, and benefit from a 40% reduction in their phone bills when they sign up. Under this BT Scotland scheme, the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations expects around 10,000 lease deals to be signed over the next 2 to 3 years.
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