LESSONS MUST BE LEARNED FROM CUMBRIAN DIGITAL SWITCHOVER, SAYS HELP THE AGED

24 April 2008

Commenting on the embargoed publication by Digital UK of the report on the first digital switchover in Whitehaven and Copeland in Cumbria, David Sinclair, Head of Policy at Help the Aged said:

"The majority of older people in the Copeland and Whitehaven area had a relatively pain-free switchover to digital television as a result of some good partnership working between different agencies such as the Government, Ofcom and Digital UK.  However, that amount of success should not breed any complacency.  Take-up of support and advice under the Help Scheme was nowhere near high enough. The report highlights evidence of confusion by consumers over who would receive free help or how someone would benefit from paying the £40 fee for support.  This confusion probably contributed to fewer older people having the help that would benefit them.  Lessons must be learnt here to ensure that all vulnerable older people receive the help they need.

"All in all however, the first phase of switchover has made a solid start.  Help the Aged hopes to see this burnished even further so that digital television is an accessible and useable platform which delivers the advice, services and content which matches the needs of older people."