Government unveils switchover support Bill

[BGonaSTICK]

The Government has now published a Bill intended to help the BBC identify people who are eligible for support under the digital switchover assistance scheme. The Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill will make it legal for the Department for Work and Pensions, its Northern Ireland equivalent, and the Veterans Agency, to share social security and war pensions details with the BBC during the 2008-2012 switchover programme.

Broadcasting minister Shaun Woodward said: "The Government wants everyone to enjoy the benefits of digital television. That's why we're going to give extra help to people over the age of 75 and those with significant disabilities. This legislation would mean that the people who need that help can be contacted directly."

Woodward added: "It would cut the level of administration needed to run the scheme and encourage people to take up the offer of help by making the process more simple."

Under the scheme, the help will:

• [#] Go to all households with one person aged 75 or over, or with one person with a significant disability (receiving attendance allowance, disability living allowance or equivalent benefits under the war pension or industrial injuries disablement benefit schemes)
  [#] Go to households where one person is registered blind or registered partially sighted
  [#] Be available free of charge to eligible households receiving pension credit, income support or income-related jobseekers allowance.

The Government said assistance would consist of providing the necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the relevant support to install and use the equipment.

"Alternatively, those eligible may choose a different platform such as cable or satellite, in which case the scheme will make a contribution towards their costs," said a statement from Woodward's department.

Under the BBC White Paper the corporation is obliged to establish and fund schemes to help vulnerable households. The BBC and ministers are still working on how the scheme will work in practice.

The Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Bill is part of the Government's legislative programme for the coming year, as set out in the Queen's Speech last Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Ofcom's independent consumer panel, which advises the Ofcom board on consumer issues, has called on new Ofcom CEO Ed Richards to "be vocal" on the regulator's assessment of the risks in digital switchover.

Panel chairman Colette Bowe said: "The panel knows that Ofcom has more than once said that it does not regard it as part of its role to offer detailed public comment on a project for which it is not directly responsible. We do not agree with this. We urge Ofcom to use its authoritative position to speak out about its assessment of the risks around this project."

Bowe said Whitehaven's early switch to digital next year would provide "an excellent opportunity for Ofcom to place its views about the organisation, delivery and financing of the digital switchover on the record".