C18 Digital Britain

Composite of motions 67 and 68

Congress notes the recommendations and conclusions of the Government’s Digital Britain final report, which seeks to secure the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading digital knowledge economies, and the trade union campaign on the need to roll out high-speed broadband across the nations and regions of the UK.

Congress believes that a communications infrastructure of high-speed broadband links, delivering online services to communities at higher speeds on a universal service basis, will play a key role in building a more dynamic, a more engaged and a more cohesive Britain, while also having the potential to drive economic growth and social inclusion.

If implemented effectively, Digital Britain’s proposals promise to underpin economic recovery, improve social cohesion and create quality sustainable employment in the communications and associated industries.

Given that access to broadband services is now a prerequisite for full participation in the economy and society, it is especially encouraging that the Government has recognised the need for universal access to broadband, and that it has proposed public support to bring next-generation broadband to those who will not be reached by the market.

Congress would welcome the swift publication of the Digital Economy Bill and, in particular, its emphasis on enhancing the role of Ofcom with two new duties: to promote investment in the UK’s communications infrastructure and to conduct biennial reviews. This represents a fundamental, and long overdue, change to the UK’s regulatory framework, overturning twenty years of over-reliance on competition and markets.

However, while the Digital Britain report represents real progress in creating the right framework for investment in communications infrastructure and content, Congress believes there are areas where the proposals are not far- reaching enough. In particular, the Universal Service Commitment to broadband represents a promise of best endeavours, but should be made legally binding under a Universal Service Obligation to be truly effective.

Congress calls on the General Council to:

i)        work with the Government and Ofcom to ensure that the Digital Britain proposals are implemented in a way that maximises the potential for economic growth, social inclusion and job creation

ii)      lobby central government to ensure that the communications infrastructure aspects of the Digital Economy Bill move swiftly into legislation

iii)    lobby the Government and Ofcom to turn the Universal Service Commitment to broadband into a legally binding Universal Service Obligation

iv)    ensure that the agenda of digital inclusion drives the TUC’s own working programme

v)      maintain pressure on the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills so that its policy of industrial activism continues to be central in addressing the needs of the UK’s communications infrastructure.

Mover:  Communication Workers’ Union
Seconder:  Connect