Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, what steps his Department is taking to ensure its services are available online; and if he will make a statement.

DCMS is responsible for transforming the digital infrastructure in the UK. DCMS is on track to deliver superfast broadband to 95% of the UK by 2017 and is launching 1,000 free public wi-fi hotspots in public buildings across the UK.

As part of the Government’s UK wide superfast broadband rollout, DCMS funds the superfast broadband connection vouchers scheme that’s aimed at providing local businesses and SMEs with faster broadband. DCMS has created a dedicated website for businesses to access suppliers offering the most competitive voucher packages in their areas at www.connectionvouchers.co.uk

DCMS also ensures it adheres to GOV.UK and Government Digital Services best practice, outlined in its Digital Strategy which is available on GOV.UK at www.gov.uk/government/publications/dcms-digital-strategy.

The DCMS reported against actions in its Digital Strategy in December 2013 www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-culture-media-and-sport-government-digital-strategy-actions/dcmss-actions-in-response-to-the-government-digital-strategy