James Cunningham

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THOUSANDS OF COVENTRY PEOPLE WILL BE HELPED SWITCH TO DIGITAL TELEVISION

COVENTRY South MP Jim Cunningham today welcomed the news that 12,000 households in his constituency will receive assistance in switching over to digital television.
Figures reveal 37,000 households across Coventry as a whole and 645,000 in the West Midlands will qualify for help in making the change.
The Central television region is scheduled to switch to digital in 2011.
Mr Cunningham pressed the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport on the issue and was told in reply that 12,000 households in Coventry South are estimated for assistance ahead of the switch.
He said: “Digital switchover is a nationwide project to provide digital television services to every corner of the UK and every section of society, and to do so in a fair and equitable way that could never be achieved by the market alone. 
“Today, over 70% of UK households have access to digital through at least one TV set.  However, currently a quarter of households cannot get digital television through an aerial, and many still cannot receive Channel Five. Switchover will therefore make things fairer and provide more choice for viewers.
“A comprehensive help scheme will assist people aged 75 and over, those with significant disabilities and those who are registered blind or registered partially blind.  The scheme will focus on providing equipment and practical in-home support to ensure that no one is left behind in the switch to digital television.
“The BBC will help establish and fund the scheme.  It will be provided free of charge to eligible people on low incomes.  I’m delighted to hear 12,000 households in Coventry South are estimated to qualify for assistance in the switchover.”
To ensure the households get assistance as quickly and effectively as possible, the Government is legislating to allow the operator of the help scheme access to benefits records to identify and target eligible people. 
This Bill would allow the Department for Work and Pensions to share social security information, and the Ministry of Defence to share war pension information, with the BBC and the operator of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.