Launch of 'Mind the Gap: Digital England - a rural perspective'
- Date and time:
- Tuesday, 23rd June 2009 at 9:00am
- Location:
- Jubilee Room, Palace of Westminster
'Mind the Gap: Digital England - a rural perspective' is the rural contribution to Lord Carter's Digital Britain report. This launch will be an opportunity to discuss the issues raised with representatives from across the public, private and third sectors who have helped us produce the report.
Among other issues, the report will highlight the importance of broadband to rural communities. Broadband internet is now considered to be the ‘fourth utility’. However, lack of broadband provision or poor speeds mean that many rural areas risk being left further behind as Next Generation Broadband is rolled out, unless solutions can be found.
The launch will be held in the Jubilee Room, Palace of Westminster, by kind permission of Rt Hon Sir Alan Beith MP.
Comments
The report is a result of research and consultation with rural communities and stakeholders carried out through partners; a call for evidence through the Rural Services Network, among others; and a number of discussions, workshops and visits involving the Rural Advocate, our Commissioners and Hilary Benn.
We also commissioned independent technical analysis of rural connectivity issues. Additionally, the report includes evidence gathered from emails and web comments on our site, as well as from other areas of our work such as our inquiry into the future for England's upland communities.
We're sorry if you haven't had the opportunity to contribute to this report, but we are still happy to hear about your experiences, which will help inform our work to take forward the findings and recommendations included in the report.
You can email us at info@ruralcommunities.gov.uk or write to us at:Commission for Rural Communities, John Dower House, Cheltenham, GL50 3RA
Media commentary on the Digital Britain report reveals gross mis-perceptions about rural economies (or anything outside London). My editorial - 'Digital Britain - UK Unplugged' refers: http://www.groupe-intellex.com/editorials/18-gi-global/191-digital-britain-uk-unplugged.html .
The piece also includes a link to commentary on rural power supplies - 'Dodgy Connections' .
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