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UK Parliament
BBC, Ofcom, VirginMedia, Digital

Lords Committee looks into digital competitiveness of the UK

1 September 2014

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The House of Lords’ Digital Skills Committee will hold two days of evidence sessions as part of its inquiry into the digital competitiveness of the UK.

On Monday 1 September the Committee will hear from the British Chambers of Commerce, Direct Line, McKinsey & Company, BT, Boston Consulting Group and Virgin Media.

Witnesses

Monday 1 September 2014, Committee Room 2 Palace of Westminster

At 2:15pm

  • Marcus Mason, Policy Manager, Employment and Skills, British Chambers of Commerce
  • Angela Morrison, Chief Information Officer, Direct Line Group
  • Paul Willmott, Director (one of, as an expert on digital enterprise), McKinsey & Company

At 3:15pm

  • Sean Williams, Group Director Strategy, Policy and Portfolio, BT
  • Daniel Butler, Head of Public Affairs, Virgin Media
  • Dominic Field, Partner & Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group

Possible questions

Questions that the Committee will put to the witnesses are:

  • How can UK businesses prepare for the future?
  • What skills do future workers need for the UK to be globally competitive?
  • Does the UK have a competitive infrastructure to support a knowledge-driven economy? How is the change in technology affecting this infrastructure?
  • How does the UK compare to other countries?
  • How important is faster Internet speed for businesses and their development?

The following day, Tuesday 2 September, the Committee will hold further evidence sessions, where they will hear from the BBC, Ofcom and lifelong learning experts, among others. In these sessions they will concentrate on the issues of: boosting levels of digital and media literacy; digital careers; and lifelong learning.

Witnesses

Tuesday 2 September 2014, Committee Room 2 Palace of Westminster

At 9:45am

  • David Hughes, Chief Executive, National Institute of Adult Continuing Education
  • Professor Martin Weller, Professor of Educational Technology, Open University

At 10:45am

  • James Thickett, Director of Nations and Market Development, Ofcom
  • Helen Milner, Chief Executive, Tinder Foundation
  • Professor Patrick Barwise, Chairman, Which?  and Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing, London Business School (speaking as an independent academic)
  • Phil Fearnley, Director, BBC Homepage and myBBC, BBC.

Possible questions

Questions that the Committee will put to the witnesses are:

  • How can UK businesses prepare for the hip Council future?
    What skills do future workers need for the UK to be globally competitive?
  • Does the UK have a competitive infrastructure to support a knowledge-driven economy? How is the change in technology affecting this infrastructure?
  • How does the UK compare to other countries?
  • How important is faster Internet speed for businesses and their development?

Further information