Policies and strategies

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OVERVIEW

Published policies and strategies are important tools in the development of the new online content programme and the development of existing services. At the national level they can provide a framework to ensure that public services develop within a consistent set of objectives to achieve defined goals, while at sector and at local level they enable consistency of approach and also, most important, increase the ability for development to co-operate and interoperate.

Along with many other nations, the United Kingdom and the Home Nations have developed policies, strategies and frameworks that address national priorities. Governments have recognised the importance of the new digital technologies to social and economic well-being and these policies and strategies are intended to give strategic direction to public investment for the direct benefit of individuals and communities or indirect support to build the skills and opportunities that will enable new industries to develop.

This entry provides brief details on policies and strategies cover the whole of the UK and those applicable to each of the four Home Nations. A selection of sector-related strategic documents is included. The entry also lists useful policy documents from around the world: these latter two are lists that will continue to evolve.

UNITED KINGDOM

UK-wide

Digital Britain In October 2008 the UK Government commissioned Lord Stephen Carter, Minister for Communications and Broadcasting to produce “a comprehensive analysis of our digital economy… the work has at its core an ambition to accelerate the rate of growth, and cement the UK’s position as a world leader in the knowledge and learning economy to produce an action plan to secure the UK’s place at the forefront of innovation, investment and quality in the digital and communications industries”. (DCMS press release). An interim report was published on 29th January 2009. A final report is expected in summer 2009.

Summary of the interim report

Digital Britain interim report

e-Government Interoperability Framework This Cabinet Office publication defines the technical policies and specifications governing information flows across government and the public sector. These cover interconnectivity, data integration, e-services access and content management. Version 6.1 contains the high level policy statements, management, implementation and compliance regimes.

e-Government Interoperability Framework v6.1 (2005)

Power of Information Task Force. When Ed Mayo and Tom Steinberg’s Power of Information: An Independent Review (2007) was published in 2007 it rapidly became apparent that this was a significant contribution to thinking about the ways in which government has to adapt itself to a world in which most people regularly use the internet.

The creation of the Task Force in 2008 was part of a series of positive responses by Government to the report. Over the last 9 months, the Task Force has attempted to develop further the agenda set out in the report. The recommendations in this report should therefore be read alongside those in the original report on which they build. The Taskforce brought together a group from government, industry and the third sector who all share a passion for using ICT to enable better public service delivery.

Power of Information Review: Government Response

Power of Information Taskforce Report (2009)

England

To be added

Online content programmes in England

Northern Ireland

To be added

Online content programmes in Northern Ireland

Scotland

Openscotland Information Age Framework The Openscotland Information Age Framework (OSIAF) was developed by the Scottish Executive and its public service delivery partners in Scotland. It sets out standards and specifications to be used by the Scottish public sector and it provides a Scottish framework for developing and approving interoperability specifications that support the delivery of electronic services.

Digital Access Scotland The Scottish Museums Council, the Scottish Council on Archives and SLIC have agreed to form Digital Access Scotland (DAS) to replace COSMIC. DAS will aim to be a strategic-level grouping that will provide a link between Government and policy makers and the various sectors to ensure access to digital content (Sourced from TACIT December 2007)

Online content programmes in Scotland

Wales

To be added

Online content programmes in Wales

Sector Specific Strategies

British Library: Digitisation Strategy 2008-11

Digital Inclusion. The White Paper, [The Learning Revolution], was launched on 23 March 2009 and sets out the Government's strategy for informal learning. Government recognises the profound importance of informal adult learning to people’s lives and our nation’s well-being. Informal learning can help people gain personal satisfaction, development and fulfilment. For the low skilled and with poor experiences of formal education, informal learning can be an important stepping stone to further learning, qualifications and more rewarding work. It can help keep people mentally and physically active and independent into old age. It can also bring people and communities together.

e-Learning. Harnessing Technology: Transforming Learning and Children's Services (published in 2005) is designed to harness technology to the needs of children, learners, parents, teachers, carers, employers and all other stakeholders. The document identifies the priorities for the strategy, which are underpinned by a number of system wide and sector specific actions applying to the schools, 14-19 and lifelong learning, HE and Children's services sectors. It sets out to achieve four overarching objectives: transform teaching, learning and child development; engage hard-to-reach groups in new ways; build an open accessible system, with more information and services online; achieve a new level of efficiency and effectiveness in delivery.

Higher and Further Education: The JISC Strategy 2007-2009 reflects JISC's recognition that there are mission-critical activities of institutions that it has not been supporting sufficiently, in particular those activities that reflect the growing importance of ICT in the administration and management of institutions, as well as institutional efforts to engage in commercial and other activities with local, regional and business communities. In addition, JISC has identified two key themes that must inform its activities over the coming years - integration and sustainability. Integration requires us to explore the ways in which IT systems and services can not only provide value for money, but also enable institutions to achieve their goals, while sustainability answers the need for value for money in national ICT investments and for ensuring the long-term requirements of the education and research community are met.

JISC Strategy 2007-2009

Museums Association of Independent Museums ICT in Museums Guide