§ Mr. YeoTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what progress has been made towards the target set in 1998 for achievement by the end of Parliament to increase to 1 million the number of SMEs wired up to the digital market place. [83596]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 26 November 2002]1. To ensure that 1.5 million micro, small and medium-sized businesses are 'connected' by 2002. (Competitiveness White Paper implementation plan)
2. To have one million SMEs trading online by 2002. (Competitiveness White Paper implementation plan)
The target of ensuring that 1.5 million SMEs are connected was achieved in 2000, as indicated by that year's International Benchmarking Study (IBS). The 2002 IBS, published on 3rd December 2002, has shown 537W a recent drop in the numbers of SMEs going on line, however the target continues to be achieved, with just over 1.5 million SMEs now connected.
The total level of e-commerce continues to increase as those companies that trade online do see an increasing volumes. Through UK Online for Business, we continue to help SME's make the best use of information in communication technology.