Stephen Timms confirmed for Digital Britain role

Stephen Timms has been confirmed as the man in charge of the government’s Digital Britain vision.

Timms will remain in his current post of financial secretary to the Treasury and report to Lord Mandelson and Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw in his new role.

Timms’ appointment follows the departure of Lord Carter after the publication of the Digital Britain report in June.

The report lays out plans for a £6 a year levy on fixed phone lines to pay for next generation broadband, as well as fixing a switchover date for radio from analogue to DAB in 2015.

It covers changing Channel 4’s statutory remit and providing increased wireless and 3G coverage for mobile devices.

Creative industries minister Sion Simon will lead on aspects of the report in the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the government said, culture secretary Ben Bradshaw and business secretary Lord Mandelson overseeing the work.