§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what percentage of the United Kingdom population has internet access at home; what plans she has to extend home internet access; and how she intends to achieve such goals. [135816]
§ Mr. Ian McCartneySeven million UK homes, 28 per cent., are now connected to the internet with almost one million new homes going on line in the last quarter.
We will continue to follow telecommunications competition policies that have helped the UK become the cheapest country in Europe for unmetered off-peak internet access, and among the cheapest for metered off-peak access. The rapid growth of digital TV in the UK—21 per cent. of UK households currently subscribe—will also increase home internet access.
In addition, the Department for Education and Employment is piloting ways of providing low-cost recycled computers to unemployed people and those with low incomes.