Blair promises web access for all

The UK government is to spend more than £1bn in a campaign to ensure that the whole nation has internet access by 2005.

The money will be spent setting up 6000 user-friendly computer centres across the country and providing government services online.

During a recent speech Prime Minister Tony Blair also pledged to give each adult an 80 per cent discount on computer literacy courses, reducing the price from an average £200 to £40.

"This campaign's goal is to get the UK online. We want Britain to be the best place in the world for ecommerce, to get universal access to the internet and to put all government services online."

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, more than 1.7 million small businesses and a third of the UK population are now online, yet over two fifths of adults still feel uncomfortable with IT.

The government is concerned that this fear could lead to a knowledge gap among adults, and is also keen to ensure that the poorest are not left out of the e-revolution.

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