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Home Computing Initiative

Answer

The Office of e-Envoy had policy responsibility for The Home Computing Initiative (HCI) between 1999 and 2004. Responsibility for HCI Policy was transferred to this Department in January 2004.From 2004 and up to the removal of the 1999 tax break in 2006, the Department met regularly with HMT, OFT and the HCI Alliance (BT, Intel and Microsoft) to monitor progress. A core part of this Department's contribution to the project was the production of an information pack which made the guidance material easier to understand for employers and employees wishing to take part in the scheme.Our assessment indicated that the Home Computer Initiative had been successful in reaching those in employment. However, it was not reaching those who were not working and Government wanted to refocus its resources to support groups with the poorest access to technology such as the unemployed, elderly, disabled and low-income groups. Consequently the tax exemption was removed.Since the demise of 1999 Tax exemption, Government have launched the Home Access Programme—The programme aims to ensure that every learner in England (five to 19 years old and in maintained education) has access to increased educational opportunities via ICT resources at home. The programme is led by the Home Access Taskforce and chaired by Jim Knight.Paul Murphy SoS for Wales and Minister for Digital Inclusion recently launched the cross Government consultation paper ““Delivering Digital Inclusion—An Action Plan for Consultation””. The action plan seeks to provide a framework for achieving greater digital equality within the UK, through both immediate actions and a number of proposals put forward for wider consultation.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

483 c1396W; 235153

Session

2007-08

Subjects

Home computing initiative

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk