Information society : agenda for action in the UK : evidence received after 31 March 1996 / Select Committee on Science and Technology.
- Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords. Science and Technology Committee.
- Date:
- 1996
Licence: Open Government Licence
Credit: Information society : agenda for action in the UK : evidence received after 31 March 1996 / Select Committee on Science and Technology. Source: Wellcome Collection.
55/324 page 357
![—_—_—_—— eS 23 April 1996] [Continued PROMOTION OF UK SOFTWARE The UK leads in the development of software for many multimedia applications. The early growth of the superhighway in the UK and abroad would help to sustain and develop this lead. Specifically, the Government should be an early adopter of multimedia services in the public sector and promote the international adoption of application standards compatible with UK developments. Question 6 What is the role of local and regional government in connection with the “Information Superhighway”? How can new services be used to boost (a) the ongoing regeneration of urban areas, (b) other local economies? Local and regional government must become part of the information society. They should promote its use in schools and colleges to familiarise younger people with the new technologies and provide re-training facilities for others wishing to enhance their skills. Local government should provide access to local information so ensuring better-informed citizens and enhanced local communications. There will be many opportunities for new services in the local community, such as links between doctor’s surgeries and regional hospitals, and within the social services area to provide better contact with people with disabilities. The new services will play a large part in transforming local economies as we move from an industrial to an information age. A new information-based sector will emerge, unrestricted by geographical boundaries. _ This sector could be based anywhere. We could see the birth of “virtual enterprise parks” in close commercial contact and with a rapid exchange of value added services, but physically distributed across those parts of the globe having access to the superhighway. There will be less need to group together in industrial parks or conurbations or to relocate following a change in working environment or employer. People will work from where they are already based, or from where they wish to be. Question7 What will be the impact of the “Information Superhighway” on working practices and employment prospects? The information superhighway will bring about profound developments in our society. It will affect the leisure activities and working patterns of all UK citizens, create opportunities for education and training (for those at school and beyond), and offer new prospects for inner cities and remote rural areas. Certainly, working practices will be impacted through the direct use of the new technology, in particular though better access to information and through the ability of individuals to have more control of their local environment. WoRKING PRACTICES — Education and training facilities will be revolutionised through improved access to limited resources, such as experts, computing facilities, and multimedia information. The distinction between formal training and on the job information will largely disappear, leading to a system of “lifetime learning” for all. — Direct advantages to businesses include more efficiency through the use of “virtual” meetings. Better decision-making through enhanced information services, will reduce cost and time for new products to get to market. — Travel both for personal and business purposes could be reduced. Even a modest amount of teleworking could result in some £2 billion per annum savings in the transport sector. — People will find it easier to work away from their offices, as they will have access to the facilities and information they require. — A greater exposure to international influences would result in people being more commercially aware and better able to meet competitive demands. — Overall, people could have more choice in where they work and for whom. ‘EMPLOYMENT PROSPECTS Employment prospects will also be heightened through the creation of a new service sector, through the additional infrastructure construction required, and through the ability of previously inaccessible people to participate. — The information superstructure will reshape relationships within and between businesses, improving local efficiencies and the efficiency of the national business base, and so creating favourable conditions for increased employment. — UK businesses will be more competitive through lower costs and increased efficiency. Productivity gains of up to 5 per cent can be achieved through the introduction of broadband technology.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b32218631_0055.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
