Digital Technology: UK Labour Market

Debate between Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope and Baroness Neville-Rolfe

Tuesday 9th December 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I agree with the sentiment of the noble Baroness’s point. We published a digital inclusion strategy in April and we are working with lots of different partners across the UK, including Age UK, which has done terrific work to help older people access the internet and get savings. This is an enormous subject, and I very much look forward to the work of the Digital Skills Select Committee on all these points.

[Lord Kirkwood of Kirkhope (LD)]

Does my noble friend agree that central government has a cross-departmental responsibility to mitigate the risk of the future incidence of higher inequality as a result of our increasingly digital economy?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I agree that we have a huge role to play. The key thing is to use the digital revolution to grow and improve the curriculum so that, for the long term, you tackle inequality and help people to access the improvements in digital that will make such a big difference to their lives, while, of course, helping those who find it difficult. That is important, as this House knows.