UK Government Launch Online Manifesto

The ‘Manifesto for the Networked Nation’ receives Government backing as Martha Lane Fox looks to get everybody online by 2015.

Lane Fox, co-founder of Lastminute.com and digital champion, is looking to ensure that the 10 million people who don’t regularly use the Internet currently are able to do so by 2015. As part of a major Government initiative to create a net savvy society, the Manifesto for the Networked Nation is a far cry from the Digital Economy Act, which earned Peter Mandelson the title of ‘Internet Villain of the Year’.

The Internet, as we all know, is a valuable resource for communication, education and purchasing. Having made her own major impact online, Martha Lane Fox appears to be determined to help others follow suit. This can be no bad thing.

The Internet offers a wealth of opportunities. From making it easier to save money and keep connected, all the way through to building a business. The online world has revolutionised industries and with much of the economy now dependent on the income it generates, invariably Internet knowledge and innovation will be vital to future growth.

For businesses already with an online presence this represents a fantastic opportunity for growth. With 10 million Britons being targeted, traffic levels could swell in the coming few years. Therefore now, more than ever, it is vital that you get yourself seen. For those who have not yet taken their work online, again this is the ideal opportunity to get started.

It will be interesting to see how this growth is managed and tracked. In times of financial instability, the Internet is also a useful way for businesses to cut costs and for job seekers to gain qualifications and apply for positions. But will an Internet-savvy workforce be more employable and beneficial for the nation as a whole? Time will tell I guess.

It might just be a lot parliamentary hot air, but with plans to speed up broadband and the aforementioned Digital Economy Act, the online world is receiving plenty of positive attention; hopefully this will all lead to an equally positive result for online businesses too.

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