UK INTERNET LITERACY INITIATIVE ATTRACTS INDUSTRY SUPPORT

Monday, October 24, 2011 : Race Online 2012 aims to teach web skills and literacy
 
"Go on Give an Hour" has launched with a UK Government internet literacy campaign titled Race Online 2012, attracting support from a variety of industry stalwarts including Mecca Bingo, Sky, BBC, Lloyds, Microsoft, BT and the Post Office.
 
The campaign will run in conjunction with the clocks being turned back on October 30 2011 and will be publicised through a variety of media including TV, radio, outdoor and online.
 
The Government initiative has been developed to encourage consumers to use the hour of their time gained by the clock change to teach others how to use the internet.
 
UK Digital Champion, Martha Lane Fox said: “There are still 8.7 million people in the UK who've never made a free Skype call, explored and expanded their interests or got a great deal online. Yet, it's impossible to imagine life without the web for anyone who uses it regularly.
 
“We live in an age where "digital" is a vital life skill: as basic as knowing how to read and write. 90 percent of new jobs require it: you're 25 percent more likely to get work when you have web skills and once in work you'll earn up to 10 percent more. It's simply unacceptable that so many people are still unable to benefit from what the web can offer”.
 
On Monday, October 31, the staff of ninety-nine Mecca bingo clubs across the UK will hold internet taster sessions throughout the day, with free tea and biscuits for early starters in support of the campaign.