Ed Vaizey to implement the Digital Economy Act

He'll be working under Jeremy Hunt

Vaizey will tasked with ensuring nationwide rollout of next generation broadband

The new government has revealed the ministers who will be in charge of key technology issues in the UK.

Former shadow culture and creative industries minister Ed Vaizey has now been named minister for culture, communications and creative industries. He will work under Jeremy Hunt at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

Jeremy Hunt, secretary of state for culture, Olympics, media and sport, has oversight of all areas at the DCMS. However, Vaizey will oversee the rollout of broadband and the implementation of the Digital Economy Act.

It is not yet clear which elements of the Digital Economy Act the Lib Dems will call on the government to repeal, but the responsibility to oversee changes has been given to Vaizey.

“There are elements of the Digital Economy Act that Ofcom will deal with, but all policy which has a ministerial element in the Digital Economy Act will fall to [Vaizey],” a DCMS spokesperson told Computing.

Chief executive of the Independent Networks Co-operative Association (INCA), Malcolm Corbett, endorsed the appointment of the two Tory MPs, asserting that they’re both up to speed with the key issues of providing next-generation broadband to the masses.

“From our view, we’re trying to get next-generation broadband rolled out as widely and quickly as possible – both Hunt and Vaizey are committed to that and both have been very much involved with those initiatives until now.”