SKY CONTRACT RAISES UNPRECEDENTED QUESTIONS ABOUT DIGITAL SWITCHOVER - MOORE

5.28.48pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 18th Jun 2008

Borders MP Michael Moore has criticised the award of the digital television switchover help scheme contract to Sky.

In a letter to the Media Secretary of State, Andy Burnham MP, Mr Moore said that the award of the contract calls the neutrality of the scheme into question, raises issues about the taxpayer subsidising the marketing campaigns of a major international media operation and highlights the growing layers of bureaucracy in the provision of help to older people and those with disabilities.

In his letter, Mr Moore said:

"Platform neutrality in tatters"

"By awarding this contract to Sky, and making the satellite option the default choice for my constituents, the Government has raised unprecedented questions about the switchover process. In making this decision, Sky have been handed an unprecedented marketing opportunity which may or may not be in the public interest. This flies in the face of the protestations that the Government-instigated Digital Switchover process will not favour any particular television 'platform'.

"Sky's gold plated marketing opportunity underpinned by the taxpayer"

"By making the Sky satellite option the default choice, the Government has handed them a gold plated chance to sign up some of the most vulnerable groups in my constituency and the rest of the ITV Border region. Any doubts about this must be extinguished by the fact that the company will offer 2 months free usage of some of their premium services and a Sky + box, too. I would be very surprised indeed if they did not use this official endorsement to drive their marketing to other consumers in the region. It is not clear why the taxpayer should underpin the marketing efforts of a savvy international corporation in this way. Nor is it clear that there are adequate safeguards to ensure that, after the 12 month cooling off period, the Sky sales techniques are appropriate for the vulnerable groups who are eligible for the scheme.

"Given the public interest issues raised by this contract I would urge you to publish the contract details so that we can understand how much Sky will receive (and for what services) and what safeguards and sanctions exist for any stepping over the mark.

"Help scheme too bureaucratic"

"It is now clear that the switchover help process is becoming more and more bureaucratic and confused. There are now at least 4 tiers to the official scheme with the Government, the BBC, eaga plc and now Sky all having a stake. It is not at all clear why there needs to be 3 non government groups involved or how this delivers best value for money.

"Pioneers not guinea pigs"

"The Borders is the first region to go through the switchover process and it is important that we are the pioneers whose lead others follow, rather than guinea pigs from whose bad experience others learn. As far as the help scheme goes I seek reassurances that we will indeed be pioneers rather than guinea pigs."