New DCMS Minister to take on cyber security

The UK’s broadband service and cyber security will be top of the agenda for newly appointed Department of Culture, Media and Sport Minister Matt Hancock.

He is taking up the role at a time when the UK’s digital strategy is coming under the spotlight after June’s vote to leave the European Union.

The parliamentary Business, Innovation and Skills committee has urged the Government to set out its plans for the digital economy and explain how this will be affected by the Brexit result.

The BIS report brought to the fore concerns about the UK’s place in the European Single Digital Market, and said: “We could have led on the Digital Single Market, but instead we will be having to follow. The Government must address this situation, to stop investor confidence further draining away.”

Mr Hancock, who previously served as a Minister in the Cabinet Office and as Paymaster General, was appointed in Theresa May’s Cabinet reshuffle after she took over as Prime Minister from David Cameron.

Mr Hancock’s previous role included responsibilities for the digital transformation of Government and cyber security. He will be taking on cyber security for UK businesses as part of his remit in his new role, Screen Daily reported.

The new Minister has also spoken out in the past about the importance of access to high speed broadband for business as fundamental for the success of the digital and tech economy.

The MP for West Suffolk previously discussed broadband access in his own constituency, where 88 per cent of businesses and homes are able to tap into the faster speeds. He said that the commitment was to raise this to 95 per cent by the end of 2016 and to reach all premises by the end of the decade.

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