BORDERS MP HIGHLIGHTS URGENT NEED FOR INFORMATION ON DIGITAL SWITCHOVER HELP SCHEME

11.07.43am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 5th May 2008

SEVENTH BORDERS DIGITAL FORUM TO BE HELD ON THIS SUBJECT

ON FRIDAY 9 MAY AT TWEED HORIZONS

Borders MP Michael Moore has reacted to the news that television captions are soon to begin in the area reminding viewers of the need to get ready for digital switchover by calling on the BBC to provide immediate information to local people on the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.

Digital UK, the organisation set up to oversee the switchover process, has announced that captions will appear on televisions in the Borders from 6 May 2008. The captions will read, "If you can see this, your TV will be affected by the switchover on 6 November. Questions? Call Digital UK on 0845 234 0388". The captions will appear on the five analogue terrestrial channels over a two week period.

Mr Moore is concerned that, while the publicity campaign is gathering pace, many viewers are still not aware that they might be able to receive help with switchover through the official Digital Switchover Help Scheme. Under the scheme, all households with someone aged 75 or over, or with someone who has a significant disability, or someone who is registered blind or partially sighted, are entitled to receive assistance. Of these households, those who receive income-related benefits will be entitled to receive the help for free. Otherwise, the charge to take part in the scheme will be £40.

Mr Moore has repeatedly expressed concerns that many disabled and older people in the Borders risk missing out on this help. If someone who was otherwise eligible for free help under the scheme goes ahead and converts their television sets and VCR ready for digital, they will not receive any reimbursement.

Mr Moore will be hosting the seventh Borders Digital Forum to discuss the help scheme on Friday 9 May 2008 at Tweed Horizons. Guests at the event include the BBC's Chief Executive of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme, as well as representatives of Eaga, the company that won the contract to implement the help scheme in the Borders, and senior figures within Digital UK.

Mr Moore said:

"It is of course entirely sensible for Digital UK to press ahead with their publicity programme for switchover, and these captions are sure to reach many of the viewers who had previously been unaware of exactly when switchover was taking place in the Borders. However, I remain disappointed that, despite many months of highlighting the urgency of this issue with consecutive Government Ministers, local people still have not been informed of their eligibility for help with switchover.

"As I have repeatedly said, it is manifestly unfair that those who follow the Government's own advice, do the sensible thing and prepare for switchover ahead of time risk losing out financially, as they will not receive any reimbursements under the scheme.

"I look forward to pressing this point directly to those involved at the next Borders Digital Forum on Friday, and I hope that action will follow swiftly thereafter."

Any local viewers who wish to attend the Borders Digital Forum should call Michael Moore's Parliamentary Office on 01896 663 650 for further details.