10

BBC has a critical role in educating older, less tech-confident audiences on new technology.

Conclusion
We raised the question of education for people, typically older people, who are not familiar or confident with adopting what may be new technology to them. The BBC stressed its universality obligation to ensure that content is accessible. It also said it was critical that there was focus and prioritisation of its limited resources to ensure it continued to serve all its audiences, young and old.14 The BBC told us it had a huge role to play in education, 6 C&AG’s Report, paras 3, 1.2 7 C&AG’s Report, para 1.19 8 Q 23 9 Qq 24, 25 10 Qq 36, 45 11 C&AG’s Report, para 1.18 12 Q 68 13 Q 91; C&AG’s Report, para 20 14 Q 44 10 BBC Digital commenting that people tend to trust the BBC, and that it would have a lot of services for getting older populations to engage. It said that education would have to be part of the transition through the 2030s “and for as long as it takes”.15
Government Response

A response document is linked to this report, dated 27 June 2023. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.

Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Report published 28 Apr 2023