Over the last 10 years the ICT sector has grown over two and a half times as fast as the whole economy. In 2013, it contributed £113bn (7.5%) to the UK\u2019s Gross Value Added (GVA) and supported 1.3 million jobs in the UK. Over the next decade, employment in the digital sector is projected to grow significantly faster than employment in other sectors of the economy, while sustained growth is expected in the number of IT specialists employed across the economy.<\/p>
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Evidence shows that digital technologies will transform the economy by bringing about efficiency improvements with resulting increases in productivity. This will impact on the composition of the labour market. It is difficult to reliably quantify this impact and estimates vary widely. International studies suggest that whilst demand for certain occupations may be reduced by robotics and automation, many more jobs would be created. For example, a recent study by the International Federation of Robotics estimates that there would be a net gain of jobs as a result of introducing robotics in industry.<\/p>
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The UK labour market is renowned for its flexibility and is well-placed to respond to structural changes. In order to maximise the opportunities presented by digital technologies, the Government is committed to ensuring that individuals are equipped with the digital skills needed for current and future job roles.<\/p>
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We are working in partnership with industry to ensure that our education and training systems are providing the right digital skills. We have reformed the computing curriculum to ensure every young person is prepared for an increasingly digital world and reforms to apprenticeships are enabling employers to set standards that meet their needs. In November, we announced a pilot of short courses, which are accredited by business and provide up-to-date digital skills. In December, the Prime Minister announced a National College for Digital Skills, which will drive up standards in Further Education (FE), and ensure the FE system prepares individuals for the future workforce.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wantage"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Edward Vaizey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "223739"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-25T15:09:13.233Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Automation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the potential effect on digital employment of trends towards increasing automation in that sector.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1446", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rhondda"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Bryant"} ], "uin" : "223738"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178301", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178301/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Over the last 10 years the ICT sector has grown over two and a half times as fast as the whole economy. In 2013, it contributed £113bn (7.5%) to the UK\u2019s Gross Value Added (GVA) and supported 1.3 million jobs in the UK. Over the next decade, employment in the digital sector is projected to grow significantly faster than employment in other sectors of the economy, while sustained growth is expected in the number of IT specialists employed across the economy.<\/p>
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<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Evidence shows that digital technologies will transform the economy by bringing about efficiency improvements with resulting increases in productivity. This will impact on the composition of the labour market. It is difficult to reliably quantify this impact and estimates vary widely. International studies suggest that whilst demand for certain occupations may be reduced by robotics and automation, many more jobs would be created. For example, a recent study by the International Federation of Robotics estimates that there would be a net gain of jobs as a result of introducing robotics in industry.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
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The UK labour market is renowned for its flexibility and is well-placed to respond to structural changes. In order to maximise the opportunities presented by digital technologies, the Government is committed to ensuring that individuals are equipped with the digital skills needed for current and future job roles.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
We are working in partnership with industry to ensure that our education and training systems are providing the right digital skills. We have reformed the computing curriculum to ensure every young person is prepared for an increasingly digital world and reforms to apprenticeships are enabling employers to set standards that meet their needs. In November, we announced a pilot of short courses, which are accredited by business and provide up-to-date digital skills. In December, the Prime Minister announced a National College for Digital Skills, which will drive up standards in Further Education (FE), and ensure the FE system prepares individuals for the future workforce.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1580", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Vaizey of Didcot"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wantage"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Mr Edward Vaizey"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-25", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "223738"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-25T15:09:13.35Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Automation"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what estimate he has made of the proportion of existing (a) jobs and (b) lower-paid and lower-skilled jobs that may be lost in the next 20 years as a result of digitisation and robotics.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1446", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Sir Chris Bryant"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Rhondda"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Chris Bryant"} ], "uin" : "223739"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178322", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178322/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Commissioning responsibility for wheelchair services to support patients with complex physical disabilities will transfer from NHS England to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) from 1 April 2015. CCGs already commission all other wheelchair services.<\/p>
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Ministers made the decision to transfer commissioning responsibility for this service following advice from the Prescribed Specialised Services Advisory Group, an independent advisory committee established by the Department, which considers proposals for changes to commissioning arrangements against four statutory factors. The decision was taken in consultation with NHS England.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Lamb"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Norfolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Lamb"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "223719"} , {"_value" : "223720"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-23T16:58:26.987Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wheelchairs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what impact assessment his Department has undertaken into its changes to wheelchair services and the potential effect of those changes on service (a) provision and (b) users.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4316", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Kane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wythenshawe and Sale East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mike Kane"} ], "uin" : "223718"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178323", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178323/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Commissioning responsibility for wheelchair services to support patients with complex physical disabilities will transfer from NHS England to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) from 1 April 2015. CCGs already commission all other wheelchair services.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
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Ministers made the decision to transfer commissioning responsibility for this service following advice from the Prescribed Specialised Services Advisory Group, an independent advisory committee established by the Department, which considers proposals for changes to commissioning arrangements against four statutory factors. The decision was taken in consultation with NHS England.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Lamb"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Norfolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Lamb"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "223718"} , {"_value" : "223720"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-23T16:58:27.113Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wheelchairs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what plans his Department has for the commissioning of specialised wheelchair services in the NHS after 2015.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4316", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Kane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wythenshawe and Sale East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mike Kane"} ], "uin" : "223719"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178324", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178324/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
Commissioning responsibility for wheelchair services to support patients with complex physical disabilities will transfer from NHS England to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) from 1 April 2015. CCGs already commission all other wheelchair services.<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
Ministers made the decision to transfer commissioning responsibility for this service following advice from the Prescribed Specialised Services Advisory Group, an independent advisory committee established by the Department, which considers proposals for changes to commissioning arrangements against four statutory factors. The decision was taken in consultation with NHS England.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1439", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Norman Lamb"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North Norfolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Norman Lamb"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-02-23", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : [{"_value" : "223718"} , {"_value" : "223719"} ], "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-02-23T16:58:27.253Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-02-06", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Wheelchairs"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health, whether the assessment for and supply of wheelchairs is to remain an NHS service.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4316", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Mike Kane"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Wythenshawe and Sale East"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Mike Kane"} ], "uin" : "223720"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178327", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/178327/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The following table shows mass media public health campaigns in each of the last five years:<\/p>
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