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Let's Timms again
06 Aug 2009 | 21.10 Europe/London
Stephen Timms has been confirmed as Stephen Carter's main replacement for conquering the challenges of Digital Britain. However, it appears he won't be taking over as communications minister as such, with Lord Carter's former responsibilities to be divided between Mr. Timms and another MP.
Timms will work with Lord Mandelson's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in his bid to realise Britain's digital dreams - all while he continues in his role as financial secretary. "At the top of my in-tray will be plans to ensure faster broadband access for homes and businesses and combating digital piracy - as we move towards publication of the Digital Economy Bill," he says.
But certain aspects of Carter's blueprint will be handled by the creative industries minister, Sion Simon - who'll focus on aspects of Digital Britain best suited to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Apparently, that means it's Mr. Simon who'll be tasked with prising the remnants of the digital switchover fund out of the BBC's hands as part of the Government's quest to fund broadband access for all by 2012.
"Building a 21st century knowledge economy is at the heart of government's vision," Timms continues. "It's vital for jobs and growth that Britain is able to maximise the benefits of the digital revolution. I look forward to driving this project forward in my joint role working in the Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills." None of which, fortunately for him, should involve wrestling with the dreaded Beeb. (That may have been deemed a suitable punishment for Mr. Simons after he attempted to moonlight as a David Cameron impersonator on YouTube.)
As heir apparent to Carter's legacy, it'll be up to Timms to choose how to chaperone the budding relationship between ISPs and the media companies hoping to curtail piracy by getting in to bed with them. At present, that relationship seems to have stalled. "It's a bit like having been on a first date," one media executive told The Guardian. "You don't know whether they are supposed to call you or you are supposed to call them. No one wants to look too needy."
Because he's keeping his job as financial secretary, it's unclear whether Timms will be able to devote enough time to Digital Britain to keep the bandwagon Lord Carter put in motion on track. Even on the day when he was officially revealed to be the man who was taking over, he was in the media more for other reasons - because the Bank of England decided to pump £50 billion into the economy, journalists have been knocking on his door all day seeking a comment out of him. "I think it's a key element alongside all the other things we've done - the VAT cut; the decision to let companies under pressure put off taxes they owe through the Time to Pay arrangement; bringing forward, as we have done, investment planned for future years into the current year," he's quoted as saying. Sure seems like he could have a lot on his I-Plate.
Timms will work with Lord Mandelson's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in his bid to realise Britain's digital dreams - all while he continues in his role as financial secretary. "At the top of my in-tray will be plans to ensure faster broadband access for homes and businesses and combating digital piracy - as we move towards publication of the Digital Economy Bill," he says.
But certain aspects of Carter's blueprint will be handled by the creative industries minister, Sion Simon - who'll focus on aspects of Digital Britain best suited to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Apparently, that means it's Mr. Simon who'll be tasked with prising the remnants of the digital switchover fund out of the BBC's hands as part of the Government's quest to fund broadband access for all by 2012.
"Building a 21st century knowledge economy is at the heart of government's vision," Timms continues. "It's vital for jobs and growth that Britain is able to maximise the benefits of the digital revolution. I look forward to driving this project forward in my joint role working in the Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills." None of which, fortunately for him, should involve wrestling with the dreaded Beeb. (That may have been deemed a suitable punishment for Mr. Simons after he attempted to moonlight as a David Cameron impersonator on YouTube.)
As heir apparent to Carter's legacy, it'll be up to Timms to choose how to chaperone the budding relationship between ISPs and the media companies hoping to curtail piracy by getting in to bed with them. At present, that relationship seems to have stalled. "It's a bit like having been on a first date," one media executive told The Guardian. "You don't know whether they are supposed to call you or you are supposed to call them. No one wants to look too needy."
Because he's keeping his job as financial secretary, it's unclear whether Timms will be able to devote enough time to Digital Britain to keep the bandwagon Lord Carter put in motion on track. Even on the day when he was officially revealed to be the man who was taking over, he was in the media more for other reasons - because the Bank of England decided to pump £50 billion into the economy, journalists have been knocking on his door all day seeking a comment out of him. "I think it's a key element alongside all the other things we've done - the VAT cut; the decision to let companies under pressure put off taxes they owe through the Time to Pay arrangement; bringing forward, as we have done, investment planned for future years into the current year," he's quoted as saying. Sure seems like he could have a lot on his I-Plate.