'Satisfactory' Agreement Reached On Digital Switchover Scheme

The BBC Trust has declared that a satisfactory arangement has been reached between the DCMS and the BBC on the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.
After detailed discussions with the Government, the BBC Trust is satisfied that an agreement has been reached on the Digital Switchover Help Scheme which safeguards the BBC's programmes and services and is in the best interests of licence fee payers.
One of the BBC's stated public purposes is to take a leading role in digital switchover and it is appropriate that the licence fee settlement includes ring-fenced funds for a targeted help scheme for elderly and disabled people.
However, the BBC Trust has always made it clear that the BBC's participation in a help scheme would only be on condition that:

• the BBC's programmes and services to licence fee payers must not be put at financial risk, and
• there would be a proper allocation of responsibilities between Government and the BBC, with the Government responsible for policy and the BBC for delivery of the scheme.

The Trust is now satisfied that an agreement has been reached which meets these conditions.
This agreement means that the BBC Executive will now manage the contractor who will be responsible for delivering the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.
The process to select a service provider was begun by the DCMS in February 2007. Four organisations have been shortlisted: BT, Capita, EAGA and Vertex. It is expected that contracts will be awarded in June for Whitehaven and December for the national scheme.
(SP)