Stephen Timms to lead Digital Britain strategy

Timms has experience of broadband Britain

Downing Street has confirmed that Treasury minister Stephen Timms is to lead the delivery of the government's Digital Britain strategy.

The plan was put together by former communications minister Lord Stephen Carter, who recently left the position and is set for a return to the private sector.

Timms brings a wealth of IT industry experience: he is a former e-commerce minister and worked for Logica and technology analyst Ovum before being elected to Parliament.

He will continue in his current ministerial role as financial secretary to the Treasury, but will also report to the secretaries of state responsible for Digital Britain - Lord Mandelson at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, where he will take the title Parliamentary under-secretary of state, and Ben Bradshaw at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

“Building a 21st century knowledge economy is at the heart of government’s vision. It’s vital for jobs and growth that Britain is able to maximise the benefits of the digital revolution. I look forward to driving this project forward in my joint role working in the Treasury and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, " said Timms.

“At the top of my in-tray will be plans to ensure faster broadband access for homes and businesses and combating digital piracy - as we move towards publication of the Digital Economy Bill.”

Timms will be supported by creative industries minister Sion Simon, who will focus on DCMS-related aspects of the strategy.

In his former roles, Timms was seen as a champion of broadband Britain - which led to him winning the Computing award for outstanding contribution to UK IT in 2007.

He will now be responsible for bringing in the controversial "broadband tax" of a 50p per month levy on telephone lines to help pay for the rollout of high-speed, fibre-based broadband services, as well as overseeing the universal service commitment that will deliver 2Mbit/s links to every home in the country.