HC Deb 10 March 2004 vol 418 c1509W
Michael Fabricant

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures she plans to help those who receive spam to block spam e-mails from their systems. [159749]

Mr. Timms

Effective blocking and filtering are a key part of the solution to spam. My Department is looking at ways of building up a stronger dialogue with internet service providers and other stakeholders about the deployment of network based spam blocking and filtering systems, and the education of users about the steps they can take to avoid spam. Our most recent initiative was the launch last year of an online source of information on e-security. This resource draws together a range of tools, advice and guidance on core areas of information security, including spam, and is aimed particularly at smaller businesses. New content is currently being added to this site which can be found at www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/informationsecurity.

The Government believe that the problem of spam needs to be tackled in the longer term by a combination of regulation, international cooperation, industry

L/A/Financial year Number of offers Total grant offered Total project costs Jobs to be created Jobs Sfgd
1996–97 29 1,198,000 9,160,899 274 116
1997–98 9 249,000 2,541,360 70 15
1998–99 14 959,500 7,878,023 217 84
1999–2000 7 929,000 10,619,376 117 293
2000–01 5 920,000 9,466,448 226 20
2001–02 3 380,000 3,329,350 82 18
2002–03 0 0 0 0 0
2003–04 1 249,000 2,369,000 77 0
Total 68 4,884,500 45,364,456 1,063 546

Enterprise Grant Scheme

  • From January 2000–04
  • 24 offers
  • Total amount £912,300.

Smart/Research and Development

  • From January 2000–04
  • 7 offers
  • Total amount £586,263.