A report said that over one-third (36 per cent) of adults did not have access to a computer, and over two-fifths (42 per cent) lacked access to the internet.
Source: Alan Tuckett, Fiona Aldridge and Hayley Lamb, Annual Media Literacy Survey 2008, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (0116 204 4200)
Links: NIACE press release
Date: 2008-Nov
Researchers examined what was known about the relationship between innovation and well-being and, in particular, the causal relationship from innovation to well-being; and considered whether data in the British Household Panel Survey could be used to shed light on this relationship. No direct evidence was found in the literature on the impact that innovation had on subjective well-being.
Source: Paul Dolan, Rob Metcalfe, Nick Powdthavee, Andy Beale and David Pritchard, Innovation and Well-being, National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (020 7438 2500)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Nov
A think-tank report said that policies by cities designed to promote innovation were too narrowly focused on science and technology, and had created overlapping business and innovation support services. The best way to support innovation was to make the city as a whole a more attractive place to do business. Overstretched transport links, slow planning decisions, and unaffordable housing were stifling innovation and its related economic benefits.
Source: Chris Webber, Innovation, Science and the City, Centre for Cities (020 7803 4300)
Links: Report | Centre for Cities press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Oct
A think-tank report said that cheap digital technology and broadband access had broken the moving-image monopoly held by production companies and broadcasters. In its place a new 'theatre of public information' had emerged, creating a new space for debate and expression dominated by younger people.
Source: Celia Hannon, Peter Bradwell and Charlie Tims, Video Republic, Demos, available from Central Books (020 8986 5488)
Links: Report | Summary | Guardian report | Telegraph report
Date: 2008-Oct
The government published a series of research reports on digital inclusion in relation to specific vulnerable groups.
Source: Citizens Online and National Centre for Social Research, Digital Exclusion Profiling of Vulnerable Groups: Ex-offenders – A profile, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only) | Citizens Online and National Centre for Social Research, Digital Exclusion Profiling of Vulnerable Groups: Young People not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) – A profile, Department for Communities and Local Government | Citizens Online and National Centre for Social Research, Digital Exclusion Profiling of Vulnerable Groups: Adults with Learning Disabilities – A profile, Department for Communities and Local Government | Citizens Online and National Centre for Social Research, Digital Exclusion Profiling of Vulnerable Groups: Adults with Mental Health Problems – A profile, Department for Communities and Local Government
Links: Report (1) | Report (2) | Report (3) | Report (4)
Date: 2008-Oct
The government began consultation on an action plan designed to achieve greater digital inclusion. It included the appointment of an independent 'digital champion' to promote the inclusion agenda.
Source: Delivering Digital Inclusion: An action plan for consultation, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236)
Links: Consultation document | Annex | Hansard | DCLG press release | Age Concern press release
Date: 2008-Oct
The government published a series of research reports, designed to assist local authorities, the third sector, and private enterprise in promoting digital inclusion.
Source: FreshMinds, Understanding Digital Exclusion: Research report, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only) | CapGemini, Technology Futures and Digital Inclusion: Research report, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only) | Office for Public Management Ltd, Community Perspectives on Digital Inclusion: Qualitative research to support the development of the digital inclusion strategy – Research report, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only) | Clicks and Links Ltd, Online Social Networks: Research report, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only) | Ellen Helsper, Digital Inclusion: An analysis of social disadvantage and the information society, Department for Communities and Local Government (0870 1226 236) | Office for Public Management Ltd, Research on the Costs and Benefits of Personal Data Sharing at Local Partnership Level, Department for Communities and Local Government (web publication only)
Links: FreshMinds report | CapGemini report | OPM report (1) | Clicks and Links report | Helsper report | Helsper summary | OPM report (2)
Date: 2008-Oct
A think-tank report examined the long-term financing pressures which were likely to arise as a result of the ageing of the population and the growth of health technologies. There was some evidence to suggest that the United Kingdom seemed to lag behind other counties in the adoption and diffusion of certain new treatments.
Source: David Furness et al., Demography and Technology: External Pressures for Change, Social Market Foundation (020 7222 7060)
Links: Report
Date: 2008-Oct
A think-tank report said that the use of everyday technologies by the National Health Service, such as email and online booking systems, was 'poor'.
Source: Alasdair Liddell, Stephen Adshead and Ellen Burgess, Technology in the NHS: Transforming the patient's experience of care, King's Fund (020 7307 2591)
Links: Report | King's Fund press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Oct
The government began consultation on a strategy for science and society. The objective was to create a society that was excited by science; that valued its importance to social and economic well-being; felt confident in its use; and supported a well-qualified scientific workforce.
Source: A Vision for Science and Society: A consultation on developing a new strategy for the UK, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (020 7215 5555)
Links: Consultation document | DIUS press release
Date: 2008-Jul
A report by a committee of MPs said that the internet industry should take more responsibility for protecting young people from digital content relating to abuse, violence, and suicide.
Source: Harmful Content on the Internet and in Video Games, Tenth Report (Session 2007-08), HC 353, House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, TSO (0870 600 5522)
Links: Report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Jul
An article examined the 'transformational government' initiative, designed to join up public services using information and communications technology.
Source: Terry Patterson, 'Transformational government', Benefits, Volume 16 Number 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2008-Jun
The government published the first annual benefits statement on the national programme for information technology in the National Health Service. It said that the programme was on course to deliver better care and an estimated £1.14 billion in savings by 2014.
Source: National Programme for IT in the NHS: Benefits Statement 2006/07, Department of Health (08701 555455)
Links: Report | DH press release | NHS Confederation press release | Liberal Democrats press release | BBC report
Date: 2008-Mar
A new book examined the rise of mass collaboration (often based on the internet), and what it meant for the way society was organized – not just in digital businesses, but also in schools and hospitals, cities, and mainstream corporations.
Source: Charles Leadbeater, We-Think: The power of mass creativity, Profile Books (020 7841 6300)
Links: Summary | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Mar
An independent review examined the risks to children from exposure to potentially harmful or inappropriate material on the internet and in video games. Parent's general lack of confidence and awareness was leaving children vulnerable to risks within their digital worlds. It called for the creation of a new 'UK Council for Child Internet Safety', including representation from across government, industry, children's charities, and other key stakeholders.
Source: Tanya Byron, Safer Children in a Digital World: The report of the Byron Review, Department for Children, Schools and Families (0845 602 2260)
Links: Report | Summary | Review press release | Hansard | DCSF press release | NCH press release | Childrens Society press release | ASA press release | FT report | Telegraph report | Guardian report | BBC report
Date: 2008-Mar
The government published a White Paper on the promotion of innovation. The aim was to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world to run an innovative business or public service. Innovation was essential to the the country's future prosperity and the ability to tackle major challenges like climate change. The government also published a report setting out how it had responded to an official review of government innovation policies.
Source: Innovation Nation, Cm 7345, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, TSO (0870 600 5522) | Implementing 'The Race to the Top': Lord Sainsbury's review of government's science and innovation policies, Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (020 7215 5555)
Links: White Paper | Sainsbury review response | DIUS press release | Research Councils UK press release | HEFCE press release | Nuffield Foundation press release | CBI press release | TUC press release | BBC report | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Mar
A think-tank report said that many young people were effectively being 'raised online', spending in excess of 20 hours a week using social networking sites – over three times higher than previous official estimates. More needed to be done to protect young people from inappropriate content and to promote and enforce guidelines on the limits of acceptable behaviour.
Source: Kay Withers with Ruth Sheldon, Behind the Screen: The hidden life of youth online, Institute for Public Policy Research (020 7470 6100)
Links: Report | IPPR press release | Guardian report
Date: 2008-Mar
A think-tank report said that the internet was set to have a profound effect on the language and conduct of politics and policy. It would increasingly be used to hold politicians to account. Greater access to official government data could revolutionize the way policy-making worked. and enable like-minded groups to develop potent single-issue campaigns.
Source: Robert Colvile, Politics, Policy and the Internet, Centre for Policy Studies (020 7222 4488)
Links: Report | CPS press release
Date: 2008-Feb