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26 June 2008

Help the Aged response to Public Accounts Committee report on digital switchover

Reacting to the publication of the Public Accounts Commitee report on the Government's preparations for digital switchover, David Sinclair, Head of Policy at Help the Aged said: 

'Help the Aged research has found that a large number of older people rely on the TV for their main form of company, so the contents of this hard-hitting report from the Public Accounts committee should be acted on as a matter of urgency. 

'The voluntary labelling of the so-called 'digital tick' logo is not delivering the level of commitment to supplying proper equipment among retailers that was originally anticipated. Many staff within shops and sales outlets are still unable to explain what the 'digital tick' actually means and as a result, are not always able to advise customers as clearly as is needed. 

'Help the Aged would like to see a compulsory scheme put in place whereby analogue equipment is clearly marked. Without mandatory labelling, there is a risk that some customers may make the wrong purchasing decisions and buy products that will simply not work or need adaptation once the digital switch-over is completed by the year 2012. 

'The committee report also notes that the take-up of the digital helpscheme in the pilot area in Copeland was lower than expected. It will be now be even more important to monitor how the switch-off of the analogue signal in the Border television region progresses. The Government should then review the scheme once an assessment has been made as to whether the it is reaching and supporting enough vulnerable people with the digital switchover process.'

Notes to editor:

Help the Aged is the charity fighting to free disadvantaged older people in the UK and overseas from poverty, isolation, neglect and ageism. It campaigns to raise public awareness of the issues affecting older people and to bring about policy change. The Charity delivers a range of services: information and advice, home support and community living, including international development work. These are supported by its paid-for services and fundraising activities - which aim to increase funding in the future to respond to the growing unmet needs of disadvantaged older people. Help the Aged also funds vital research into the health issues and experiences of older people to improve the quality of later life.  

Help the Aged urgently needs donations and support to help it in the increasingly challenging fight to free disadvantaged older people from poverty, isolation and neglect. Visit www.helptheaged.org.uk  or call 0207 239 1982.