Every worker online in 2012, says Lane Fox
MORE than a fifth of the British population are missing out on access to public services and employment opportunities because they do not use the internet, the government’s digital champion said yesterday.
Launching her “Manifesto for a Networked Nation”, Martha Lane Fox called on the government, industry and charities to take urgent action to help get every British citizen of working age online by the end of 2012.
Around 10m adults in Britain have never used the internet.
“The disadvantages of being offline are becoming so great and growing at such a pace, that for reasons of social justice and economic necessity we must act now”, Lane Fox said in the manifesto.
Recommending a rewards scheme to encourage first time users, she said the government should expect people to use some key online public services and provide training to those who need help.
Lane Fox, who co-founded travel and leisure website lastminute.com, also said there was a sound business case for the internet initiative.
If everyone in Britain were online, the total benefit to the economy would exceed £22bn she said, citing a recent survey by advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Prime Minister David Cameron praised the campaign. He said: “Promoting digital inclusion is essential for a dynamic modern economy.”