ANNOUNCEMENT OF DIGITAL SWITCHOVER DATE MUST FOCUS MINISTERS' MIND

12.00.00am GMT Thu 15th Mar 2007

Digital switchover must be well planned for the Borders

Commenting on today's announcement that the first stage of digital television switchover will take place on 17 October in the town of Whitehaven, in the Border television region, Michael Moore, Member of Parliament for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, said:

"Now that the date of the first analogue switch-off has been decided, the Government must, as a matter of urgency, put in place their help scheme for the elderly and vulnerable.

"Viewers here in the Border television region are being told that they must prepare for switchover, and yet there is still no tangible help available for those who need it.

"Today's announcement must focus Ministers' minds on getting the help scheme in place. They are in danger of leaving it too late."

Mr Moore will be discussing this and other issues at the fourth Digital Forum which is taking place next Friday, 23 March, between 10am and 1pm in the Corn Exchange in Melrose. Guest speakers at the event include Trisha McAuley of the Scottish Consumer Council and Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating Officer of the BBC and Director of Digital UK.

Places at the event are limited, but members of the public who wish to attend the Borders Digital Forum should call Lesley Crozier in the office of Michael Moore MP on 01896 663650.