Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what steps he is taking to encourage the uptake of (a) e-commerce and (b) other online tools among (i) businesses and (ii) consumers.

The Government is encouraging businesses to adopt digital technology by supporting the work of the digital charity Go On UK and other external partners to promote the benefits of digital and to improve basic online skills. The Government is also working with Local Enterprise Partnerships to expand digital support for businesses at a local level.

The Government’s Digital Inclusion Strategy, published earlier this year, sets out how the government and partners will help get people online.