UK Digital Inclusion Ministers Paul Murphy and Huw Irranca-Davies are meeting with key stakeholders in Nottingham and London to get their views on reducing digital inequalities.

To support the work being carried out on the Government’s Digital Equality Action Plan Mr Murphy and Mr Irranca-Davies will be attending two workshops which will bring together local and regional organisations involved in delivering frontline services - from supporting small business start up to improving independent living for older people.

Speaking ahead of the workshops Mr Murphy said: “Many people face digital inequalities in their everyday lives. It is crucial that the Digital Equality Action Plan, which the Government will launch next month, addresses these issues and reduces the inequalities.

“To make this happen we want to get the views of a range of people on how we can take this work forward. By talking to frontline staff who deal with many groups facing digital inequality we can work on solutions to make services more accessible for everyone.”

Mr Irranca-Davies added: “There is already some excellent, innovative work going on using technology to benefit the groups in society that need it most. We now need to build on this and share the good practice so that people in all corners of the UK become digitally included.

“Since we published the digital strategy in 2005 the pace of technological change has quickened. Services that were not so long ago deemed as ‘convenient’ or a luxury are now classed as everyday services and even a basic necessity. We have to make sure that everyone has access to these services and by working together we can all make this happen.”

Notes:The Rt Hon Paul Murphy MP was appointed UK Minister for Digital Inclusion by the Prime Minister in January 2008. Huw Irranca-Davies MP supports Mr Murphy with this work.

The Digital Equality Action Plan is due to be launched in July.

The Digital Equality Action Plan stakeholder workshops are being held in Nottingham on the 26 June and in London on Monday 30 June.