§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the steps her Department is taking to educate older people in the use of communication media. [134733]
§ Estelle MorrisThe Government recognise that, in a rapidly changing media environment, it is important that all citizens are media literate and able to make best use of communication media.
We have therefore, by way of the Communications Act 2003, placed a duty on the new communications regulator, Ofcom, to promote media literacy and to encourage the development of domestic electronic communications apparatus which can be used with ease by the widest possible range of individuals. The Act makes it explicit that, in carrying out these duties, Ofcom must have regard to the needs of older people. The Communications Act also requires Ofcom to set 281W up a committee to provide them with advice on the interests of older and disabled people regarding communications matters.
In addition, the Department for Education and Skills, in partnership with industry, the voluntary sector and other groups, has set up 6000 'UK online' centres to provide information and communications technology (ICT) access for adults with low or no ICT skills. This Government initiative, announced by the Prime Minister in September 2000, aims to help people develop the skills needed to use the Internet to access information, to send e-mail using a variety of communications media and to explore the opportunities that new technologies offer such as further learning and updating skills. The centres are asked to target potential users from six socially excluded groups including people aged 65 and over.