§ Mrs. Curtis-ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which wards and programmes within Sefton have benefited from UK Online; and if she will make a statement. [124382]
§ Mr. TimmsThere are thirty UK online centres which have been set up in the borough of Sefton, to provide people within the borough with access to Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
Thirteen of these centres are located in the Sefton ward of Litherland, five in Cambridge, four in Church, three in St Oswald, two in Harington and one in each of the wards of Sudell, Ainsdale and Birkdale.
Eight of the centres located within Litherland and one within Church were set up to specifically target people from disadvantaged community groups. Capital funding was provided (administered through the Department for Education and Skills—DfES) from the Capital Modernisation Fund (CMF). In addition revenue funding was provided from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF). In total, within the Sefton area up to £226,000 from the CMF was provided to contribute to building and ICT equipment costs and £89,000 was provided by NOF to help with revenue and running costs.
Additionally, UK Online for Business has established two e-business clubs run by British Chambers of Commerce and private partnerships, which serve the Sefton area. The Merseyside third sector technology centre (3TC) aims to make Information and Communication Technology accessible to voluntary and Community Organisations across Merseyside; the Merseyside eBusiness Club (MERIT NW Ltd) offers free impartial advice and information on how eBusiness and ICT can improve efficiency and profitability, and reduce costs to local businesses within the Sefton area.