Government must lead switchover, say MPs
The Government needs to appoint a minister for digital switchover in order to give the five-year process starting in 2008 a "visible champion", MPs on the Commons culture, media and sport select committee have recommended. Their report, Analogue Switch-off: A Signal Change In Television, says ministers need "to lead and be transparently accountable" for switchover policies, and make clear who is responsible for what.
The committee, chaired by Tory MP John Whittingdale, fears there is a danger that Digital UK, the industry-funded body charged with coordinating the region-by-region switchover, will "lack the authority and resources to manage the interests of a diverse group of industry stakeholders should their bonds of mutual self interest come under strain".
MPs say ministers need to more fully explain why they are proceeding with switchover now, what options are available, and how much they all cost. Consumers need to be encouraged to take advantage of the benefits that going digital provide now, while Ofcom and the Government need to make speedy decisions about the future use of released spectrum.
On subsidising the cost of switchover for consumers the committee report says more should be done to support vulnerable groups who might struggle with the switch.
"The scope of the Government's targeted assistance programme is too restricted and fails to acknowledge those who, by dint of income or social exclusion, are in genuine need. With analogue switch-off beginning in two years this matter requires urgent consideration," says the report.
Whittingdale said: "The move to digital is unstoppable and offers considerable benefits. However, analogue switch-off also carries with it significant risks. Whilst the Government can be commended for its decision to start the process of switch-off in just two years time, it needs to start leading from the front if it's to ensure that it can be achieved smoothly and with maximum public support and the minimum of disruption.
"More must be done to help those who will struggle to install or simply understand the digital technology. Currently there are too many people who do not qualify for government assistance, yet are in genuine need. If switch-off is to be a success, there must be no-one who wakes up on the day to discover that they are watching a blank screen."
The committee also recommends that:
- The cost of subsidising digital receivers for vulnerable groups should be met from Treasury funds rather than the licence fee (a similar recommendation was made by a House of Lords select committee in November)
- The BBC's licence fee settlement should take into account the Corporation's share of building the digital terrestrial television (DTT) network, but this in itself does not justify an above-inflation settlement
- Consumers be given clear advice on the necessity of engaging a reputable installer, and Trading Standards bodies must be alert to the risk of "cowboys" attempting to exploit lack of understanding.
The report says government claims that the benefits of switchover outweigh costs by £1.7bn are subject to a wide margin of error. "It remains our view that the benefit side of the cost-benefit analysis is very subjective, and that the narrow economic case for switchover is inconclusive," it adds.
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