DCMS Digital Strategy   
Becoming digital by default   
December 2012   

Our aim is to improve the quality of life for all      through cultural and sporting activities, support the pursuit of excellence, and champion the tourism, creative and leisure industries.

Contents
Ministerial Foreword	4
PART 1: Introduction………………………………………………………………….. 6
	1.1  Executive summary……………………………………………………………. 6
	1.2  Purpose and scope…………………………………………………………….. 7
PART 2: Digital infrastructure………………………………………………………... 9
	2.1  Broadband………………………………………………………………………. 9
	2.2  Reducing red tape to support broadband rollout……………………………10
	2.3  Demand stimulation………………………………………………………...… 10
	2.4  Libraries………………………………………………………………………... 11
	2.5  Gaps and key next steps…………………………………………………….. 12
PART 3: Using digital by default to deliver better policy………………………… 13
	3.1  Digital engagement work…………………………………………………….. 13
	3.2  Improving communications - the first Digital Games……………………… 14
	3.3  Case study - Government Equalities Office action plan………………….. 15
	3.4  Gaps and key next steps…………………………………………………….. 16
PART 4: Digital by default best practice……………………………………………. 18
	4.1  Delivery bodies………………………………………………………………... 18
	4.2  Strategic, advisory and regulatory bodies………………………………….. 19
	4.3  Broadcasters………………………………………………………………….. 19
	4.4  Digital fundraising…………………………………………………………….. 20
	4.5  Key next steps………………………………………………………………… 20
PART 5: A digital by default culture……………………………………………….. 21
	5.1  Change programme and cultural change………………………………….. 21
	5.2  HR and skills………………………………………………………………….. 22
	5.3  Procurement…………………………………………………………………... 23
	5.4  Case study - the correspondence team……………………………………. 24
	5.5  Gaps and key next steps…………………………………………………….. 25
PART 6: The 14 actions…………………………………………………………….. 26
ANNEX A - Arm's length body case studies - English Heritage, British Library, Equality and Human Rights Commission, Historic Royal Palaces……………… 31
ANNEX B - List of DCMS' arm's length bodies……………………………………. 40
 
Ministerial Foreword
By Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and the Creative Industries.  

It seems remarkable that just a few years ago filling out a tax return meant hours sat at the kitchen table with a ballpoint pen, and a last minute dash to the post box.  No-one likes doing a tax return, but being able to do it online has definitely taken some of the pain out of the process.  Government has some way to go before its online services are as intuitive and slick as Amazon or PayPal, but thanks to a lot of work over the last few years, we are making steps along that route.

Francis Maude, Martha Lane-Fox and the Government Digital Service have moved Government to the very edge of a digital revolution, with numerous public services due to be redesigned for the digital age.  However for people to use Government services – or indeed any services – online, they need fast and reliable internet access.  DCMS is well ahead in providing this.  

We have pledged to give the UK Europe’s best superfast broadband network by 2015, meaning millions more connected homes and businesses, a real boost for economic growth and a transformation in the way people live their lives.  DCMS does not provide large-scale transactional services to the public that can be moved online: providing the physical infrastructure that will enable the success of the Government’s digital agenda is our major contribution. 

However, just as people tweet their complaints to their train companies, or highlight great service on Facebook, citizens rightly expect to be able to interact with their Government online – to play their part in developing policy.  Government hasn’t always been the best listener – or even made it easy for people to know how, where or when they can get involved.  My department is continually looking for ways to engage online, through social media and our well-regarded website.  

We also need to ensure that the people working at DCMS have the right skills and experience to make the most of this digital revolution.  This strategy sets out how we will create a receptive and digital-savvy department, serving the needs of citizens and organisations in our sectors.

Of course, DCMS represents some of the most innovative and creative sectors in the UK.  Our arm’s length bodies, from museums to Lottery-funders, are leading the way in digital projects.  And we are already learning from them: this strategy pulls together some examples of how they are putting ‘digital by default’ into practice.  

Becoming digital by default marks an important and necessary shift in the way we do things.  At DCMS, we want to be at the heart of this exciting shift – and this strategy sets out how we aim to do it. 

PART 1:  Introduction
1.1 	Executive summary  

DCMS plays a key part in the Government’s digital agenda.  As the lead department for communications we have responsibility for the regulatory framework for electronic communications networks and services – the pipes and wires on which digital networks run.  We are responsible for internet policy in government – ensuring, amongst other things, that global internet governance structures continue to deliver a safe and open internet.  

We are also delivering an extensive programme to bring superfast broadband to 90 per cent of premises, and to ensure universal availability of standard broadband, to meet the Government’s objective of having the best superfast broadband in Europe by 2015.  In addition we are working with other government departments, business groups and local authorities to stimulate demand for digital services.  Finally we are ensuring that, both in policy-making and within our internal ways of working, we embed a digital by default culture.  The London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, for which DCMS was the lead government department, was a fantastic example of a digital approach that revolutionised our communications with the press and the public, helping to make the Games such a success.  Therefore whilst we do not provide transactional services, the digital by default agenda is nonetheless a key one for DCMS.

Our arm’s length bodies are at the very heart of digital developments: including museums and galleries that are world leaders in their fields; and strategic, grant-making and advisory bodies that fully recognise this challenge and are making great strides to meet it.   Broadcasters are completely changing the way the public interacts with the media – with ground-breaking developments such as BBC iPlayer.  

These bodies provide a wide variety of services to the public, and are embarking on a journey which will help to digitise the cultural, heritage and sporting capital of the nation.  They are making all of this available to a whole new generation in the way that is most accessible to them.  DCMS is committed to working with them to encourage further digital development.  In particular we will work with our bodies to agree appropriate digital indicators which can then be reflected in future management agreements.  We will also provide an online platform for our arm’s length bodies to share digital successes, user testing data and other best practice.  

At the workshops we ran to help inform this strategy there was an appetite for moving towards the sharing of data – recognising the issues around licensing, metadata etc.  DCMS is already committed to openness in data sharing as shown in our Open Data Strategy.  This is also something that we will encourage our bodies to explore further.  Sharing successes and other non-sensitive information is a natural first step towards that ultimate aim.

In line with the actions set out in the cross-Government Digital Strategy we will:
•	Provide strong departmental digital leadership – action 1
•	Develop digital capability within our staff – actions 3 and 4
•	Complete the transition to GOV.UK – action 7 
•	Provide the infrastructure to support an increase in the number of people who use digital services – action 8 
•	Support work to help stimulate demand for digital services from people who have rarely or never been online – action 9 
•	Work to broaden the range of those tendering to supply digital services, including more small and medium sized enterprises – action 10
•	Remove unnecessary legislative barriers as appropriate – action 12 
•	Improve the way DCMS makes policy and communicates with people – action 14 

The remaining actions from the cross-Government strategy do not apply to DCMS as they refer specifically to the provision of transactional services.

1.2 	Purpose and scope

Martha Lane Fox’s 2011 report, Revolution not Evolution, recommended a step change in the way Government works in a digital world. The Government Digital Service (GDS) was created in 2011 to help usher in a new approach to policy-making, service delivery and communication.  

In consultation with departments, the GDS has published a new cross-Government digital strategy, mandating a “digital by default” approach.  The DCMS Digital Strategy sets out how we will contribute to that approach, summarising our response to the issues raised and the challenges set.  It includes our response to the themes and actions within that document, and provides case studies to showcase the cutting edge work being done in this area by our arm’s length bodies.  The 2013/14 DCMS business plan will reflect our commitment to maintaining our position at the forefront of digital development.  DCMS recognises that there is more for us to do – therefore this strategy sets out a number of next steps which will help us to build on the progress we have made so far.

We have also seen this as an opportunity to showcase the excellent work of our arm’s length bodies in this field, aiming to share best practice across government and beyond.  DCMS is responsible for 45 arm’s length bodies – the vast majority of the DCMS budget goes to these bodies.  These bodies operate at arm’s length, independently from government.  We are looking to work with and encourage them to improve their digital capacity but it is not our role to mandate the detail of their operations.  Please see Annex B for a full list of our arm’s length bodies.

These organisations engage with the public in new and exciting ways – offering innovative digital experiences and services that people really want to use.  They provide a huge variety of different transactional services – from ticket booking, to grant applications, to providing information, resources and digitally capturing our national character and history.  

DCMS is working with them to encourage them to share the experiences and successes on their digital journeys.  We are also working with them and our sectors as a whole, to explore how digital technology can help boost philanthropy as a source of funding.  We believe that digital resources can make donating easier for both the donor and the recipient, and can improve the quality of the experience for everyone.  It also has the potential to increase donations from younger donors.  Please see section 4.4 for more details.

The DCMS Digital Strategy is organised in the following way:

•	Part 2 summarises the work that we are doing to ensure that the infrastructure is in place to ensure that everybody, no matter where in the country they happen to live, can go digital.    

•	Part 3 sets out how DCMS will use digital tools to deliver better policy.

•	Part 4 and Annex A give some case studies of the cutting-edge work our ALBs are doing to make digital by default a reality, and outline work on digital giving.

•	Part 5 explores how DCMS is embedding a digital by default culture to ensure that these changes are long-lasting and permanent, allowing us to operate more efficiently and deliver a better service.

•	Part 6 provides an overview of the DCMS response to the 14 actions set out in the cross-Government Digital Strategy.

PART 2:  Digital Infrastructure
2.1  	Broadband  

In moving to a world that is “digital by default” we need to ensure that the infrastructure is there to allow people to use online services. 

DCMS is responsible for broadband and telecoms policy across Government and we have a detailed programme in place to ensure that the UK has the best superfast broadband network in Europe by 2015.  Our ambition is to provide superfast broadband to at least 90% of premises in the UK, and to provide universal access to standard broadband with a speed of at least 2Mbps. 

Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), a unit within DCMS, is responsible for managing the Government’s broadband funding. Individual projects are the responsibility of local authorities and the Devolved Administrations, as set out in BDUK’s delivery model.

Key elements of the work we are doing include: 
•	allocating £530 million during the current Spending Review period to stimulate commercial investment to roll out high speed broadband in rural communities 
•	investing £150 million in “super-connected cities” across the UK 
•	investing up to £150 million to improve mobile coverage in the UK for consumers and businesses that live and work in areas where coverage is poor or non-existent

DCMS is responsible for delivery of the rural broadband programme and the urban broadband fund.  The rural broadband programme is aimed at ensuring provision of superfast broadband (connections capable of delivering more than 24 Mbps download) and universal standard broadband. The £530m the Government has committed needs to be at least matched at the local level.  The programme adds to roll-out of superfast broadband by the private sector, which is expected to provide coverage of around two-thirds of the country by summer 2014. 

The urban broadband fund, which provides the £150m of funding to create “super-connected cities” across the UK, will have a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and strategic employment zones, to support economic growth. The first ten cities are now taking forward their plans, and bids have been received for funding from a second group of cities.

2.2  	Reducing red tape to support broadband rollout 

We are introducing a package of measures to support the rollout of superfast broadband across the country and remove the red tape that is slowing this down. This will speed up and reduce the cost of deployment, and remove the uncertainty faced by communications providers when planning their works. 

Part of the package involves reforming legislation around planning and the deployment of electronic communications equipment, to make it easier to roll out infrastructure and promote online access. We will, for example, be amending the Electronic Communications Code (Conditions and Restrictions) Regulations to make it easier to deploy new communications infrastructure like poles and cabinets, while DCLG will in parallel amend planning legislation to remove the need for prior approval when installing fixed communications infrastructure. 

We are also awaiting the Law Commission’s report on changes to the Electronic Communications Code, and will take forward its recommendations via legislation.  This will allow us to address the problems faced by landowners and communications providers when agreeing wayleaves (written consent agreements) for communications equipment on or under private land – which currently involves protracted negotiations.  Our amendments will make this process much simpler. 

Introducing these and other measures will, by reducing costs and increasing certainty, support the delivery of superfast broadband and allow more businesses and consumers to enjoy the benefits of digital services.

2.3  	Demand stimulation 

Currently our demand stimulation programme is focused on work with a range of national and local partners, and other Government departments, to support them in maximising the economic benefits that broadband rollout will bring.  This is being taken forward in two parts: a national programme with business groups, Go ON UK, and the Government Digital Service; and a local programme based on providing support through one day consultancy and workshops for local authorities.  This work complements similar work being undertaken by local authorities.

Work at national level is focused around three communities of interest – SMEs, consumers and public services/communities:

•	SMEs: partnerships with the British Chambers of Commerce, Federation of Small Business, and Local Enterprise Partnerships, to help drive demand for superfast broadband through their networks and membership channels, using tools and resources from Go ON UK and other national partners such as Google.
•	Consumers: work with the Go ON founders, particularly the BBC, to ensure resources they develop support local initiatives; and partnerships with groups including Women’s Institutes, Mumsnet, the Scouts, libraries and Age UK.
•	Public services/communities: joint working with the Government Digital Service on delivery of public services.

At a local level, BDUK is offering support to all the local projects across the rural and urban broadband programmes to help them to develop effective local demand stimulation campaigns, including through brokering partnerships with Go ON UK and other national bodies.  

BDUK has also been an active member of the Government Digital Service assisted digital stakeholder group.  We are working to encourage local projects to integrate assisted digital into their demand stimulation campaigns.  It is within the third strand outlined above, service transformation, that local projects will target their offline population. We are encouraging them to mirror the assisted digital approach developed by the Government Digital Service.  They are seeking to achieve the same objectives at local level.  

2.4  	Libraries 

DCMS is responsible for national library policy, whilst individual public library services are delivered by 151 local library authorities in England.  Libraries provide a range of services including helping people get online.  Public libraries have been a key part of the Go ON UK initiative to get the digitally excluded online.  Libraries’ staff and volunteers saw three million people accessing digital services, demonstrating the role they play in tackling the digital divide. 

DCMS is supportive of the use of e-lending by public libraries. It is important for libraries to offer updated services matching technological developments as it is inevitable that library users will increasingly come to see e-books as forming part of the basic service. In September 2012, Ed Vaizey launched an independent review of e-lending which will seek to provide advice on how best to achieve an e-lending model in public libraries in England, and will report in the New Year.  

Public libraries play a variety of roles and support the delivery of many Government services: supporting formal and informal learning; improving literacy; supporting skills and employability; and, as community assets, providing spaces for activities, and even business start-ups.  

While local authorities’ library services play a big role in helping people get online, and are increasingly embracing advances in technology such as e-lending, DCMS recognises that it is important that authorities continue to take account of local need in their community and the range of services that people want – offline as well as online – when shaping the services they provide.  Therefore we believe that libraries are likely to play a key role in the assisted digital agenda.   

Since October 2011, Arts Council England has been responsible for supporting and developing libraries – a role that transferred on the wind up of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.  In early 2013 the Arts Council will publish the findings of their major research programme, Envisioning the Library of the Future, which is exploring what a 21st century library service could and should look like.  It is likely their findings will demonstrate the importance of offline services as well as the growing importance of online services. 

Another upcoming development in the sector is the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) Digital Offer, being launched by SCL in the New Year. The Offer is likely to include the creation of a single digital presence for public libraries, including a single library catalogue. 

2.5	Gaps and key next steps

Gaps:
Work on demand stimulation is continuing to develop, and DCMS will continue to work with national and local partners to stimulate demand for superfast broadband, particularly to promote the business benefits through working with business organisations and other government departments.  

Support for implementation of broadband infrastructure is more advanced and is fully funded from a government perspective for this Spending Review period.  We are now progressing implementation as quickly as possible to give the UK the best superfast broadband in Europe by 2015.  We aim to introduce the package of planning and related measures to support broadband delivery quickly, facilitating the rollout of infrastructure and addressing the issues that are currently slowing down deployment.

Libraries have already played an important role in getting people online, and we believe that they are likely to play a part in the assisted digital agenda going forward.

Key next steps:

•	Independent review into e-lending underway – reporting early 2013.
•	We have set local demand stimulation projects a target of having a 3 year demand stimulation strategy in place by June 2013 (including marketing strategy) with yearly plans in place each year to 2015.
•	Rural broadband programme - target to complete procurement by summer 2013.
•	Package of measures to support and reduce the cost of broadband deployment to be in place by Summer Recess 2013.
•	Overall objective is to support delivery of the best superfast broadband in Europe by 2015, with universal standard broadband and 90% superfast.
PART 3:  Using digital by default to deliver better policy
3.1  Digital engagement work 
DCMS already has a strong record in digital engagement work, including the Communications Review project that has brought stakeholders and the public into the debate about the regulatory framework for the communications industry.  We have a dedicated digital communication team that sits at the heart of our small communication function, as well a number of officials and ministers who are actively engaged on social media.  We are keen to continue to grow our work in this area, recognising the challenge laid down in the cross-Government Digital Strategy.

DCMS has shown an early commitment to open policy making, including playing a key part in the first policy initiative to have its own Twitter profile and interactive blog back in 2008/9.  The lessons learned from this – including having policy officials actively involved in blogging and responding to comments throughout the entire process – continue to be fed into other projects, giving stakeholders and the public a direct route to those working on the legislation.

A good example of this approach was the Communications Review, where rather than follow the usual format of publishing a green paper for consultation, we decided to engage in a much more direct way with the public by holding a series of seminars.   While there were limits to the number of people who could attend these in person, we made sure that all materials were made available digitally.  Videos of each session were put online and people were able to comment both via a dedicated website and Twitter.  This led to a richness of comment and input that traditional methods simply would not have delivered.  This blog by one of our technology partners gives more information on our approach.

In a similar vein, we created a AAA accessible, fully interactive website for the eAccessibility Forum which invited comment on key policy areas.  This allowed people who have issues accessing ordinary policy-making processes – or even some digital policy engagement projects – to have their say in the development of policy.

We also encourage close working between policy and digital communications colleagues on more informal, quick and cheap ways for people to get involved in the policy process, from web chats to social media. For example, in 2011 we ran an informal “pre-consultation” on moving the May Day Bank Holiday.  We asked Twitter users to tweet their views on the matter using the #bankhol hashtag.  Over 1,000 comments were received and fed into the policy response.

Finally, our Secretary of State, Maria Miller, and our Permanent Secretary, Jonathan Stephens, both now have their own personal accounts on Twitter, giving an informal and personal view into both the ministerial and Civil Service sides of policy-making and delivery.  Culture Minister Ed Vaizey, and Equality and Women’s Ministers Helen Grant and Jo Swinson, have their own long-established followings on Twitter.

We are looking forward to building expertise and activity in this area, with the advice and guidance of GDS.  As we have made clear elsewhere in this strategy, we will build digital skills in to the heart of our policy-making process, share best practice across the department and ensure that DCMS officials have the latest digital engagement knowledge.  

3.2  Improving communications – the first Digital Games
 
DCMS embraces the latest in digital communication techniques.  We were among the earliest government departments to have a blog, and have busy and effective communities of stakeholders engaged through our social media channels, from Twitter to Instagram.  

The example of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, where DCMS was responsible for setting up and managing the cross-Government Olympic Communication (GOC) team, shows how we are starting to embed the concept of ‘digital by default’ in our wider communication strategy for various audiences. From the start, we built in a dedicated digital team, who sat at the heart of the operation alongside traditional press office and strategic communication professionals.  

The GOC digital team sought to address London 2012 being the first Digital Games, meeting the needs of citizens and journalists who want – and expect – to access information in the most convenient way to them. This involved:
•	 Agreeing a comprehensive Olympic digital communication strategy, including working with colleagues across Government departments and Number 10
•	Providing a dedicated online newsroom for the 20,000 journalists covering the Games.  This allowed us to provide high quality creative-commons-licensed images, broadcast-quality video to download, and the latest up-to-date information, delivered in a platform-neutral format
•	Setting up dedicated, targeted social media channels and communicating using impactful image, video and text content
•	An extensive social media monitoring programme, using sophisticated platforms to listen and engage appropriately with the public around the world

The early integration of digital to the communication planning led to tangible results, measured in user feedback, with Twitter followers praising @2012govuk as “a good model in tone and delivery for #localgov and #gov comms.” We are taking the lessons from our Olympic digital communication strategy and applying them right across DCMS.

In line with wider Government policy to provide the public with access to information on how and where to participate in sport, we are working to provide an “open data” digital legacy from the Games.  It is intended that initiatives which join data across providers will make it easier for people who were inspired by the Games to participate in sport.  For example, Sport England and the Fitness Industry Association’s spogo digital service provides this kind of shared information.

We have worked hard to engage with the public and encourage them to interact with us digitally, both in formal consultations and in day-to-day digital communication activity. We will use the lessons learnt from projects mentioned above to feed into a programme of continuous improvement, aiming to be at the forefront of Whitehall digital communication.  

3.3  Case study – Government Equalities Office (GEO) action plan 

What was the challenge?
To make a focussed use of digital media in policy-making and engagement, reflecting Cabinet Office’s Digital Engagement Strategy and the Civil Service Reform Plan.

What did you do to help you become digital by default?    
GEO identified three core strands to be delivered via social media:
•	Listening
•	Influencing the debate 
•	Disseminating information

Listening to digital conversations on topics relevant to our policy agenda allows us to consider the effectiveness and impact of current approaches and test new ones.  We appreciate the ability to stimulate and influence debate amongst interested and relevant stakeholders by engaging in online fora.  In particular we make use of targeted channels to reach a specific audience, like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s podcasts.  Finally we recognise the possibilities around online publication (e.g. legislative requirements, best practice, consultation documents, general messaging) to targeted stakeholders.

Was any cultural change required and how did you approach this?
In March we launched a programme to develop staff skills and understanding, with a successful seminar by No. 10 showcasing some of the work in other departments on different topics. We followed up with a “lunch and learn” on digital tools and a seminar by DEMOS on tools to support horizon scanning across digital media.  We created a group that meets every six weeks to share learning between project teams and provide a forum for policy leads from others departments to present their work.

What was the result?
The action plan has helped us to deliver our core business aims – examples include:  
•	Think, Act, Report: uses Twitter and Linked-In to get businesses to sign up to our gender equality initiative - now covers over a million UK workers (influencing)
•	LGB&T Sports Charter: used social media to engage stakeholders and get people to sign up to a charter tackling homophobia and transphobia in sport – achieved more than 3,000 Facebook pledges (influencing)
•	Review of the Trans Action Plan: survey monkey questionnaire disseminated widely via stakeholders’ own social media platforms - resulted in the Trans Action Plan and subsequent work with the NHS (disseminating information/listening)
•	Out4Marriage: YouTube virals by Theresa May and Maria Miller (influencing)
•	Equal Civil Marriage Consultation: online survey tools facilitated the largest public consultation ever of nearly a quarter of a million responses. We will maximise Twitter’s viral potential by mobilising high profile supporters to re-tweet and endorse the consultation response (disseminating information/influencing)

3.4  Gaps and key next steps

Gaps:
While this is a strong base from which to build we recognise that there is more we can do.  We have successfully shown that digital engagement can bring a richness to policy-making and communication, and now we need to ensure that we share best practice across the department and carry that approach forward into other policy areas.  

The GEO digital engagement plan is an excellent best practice example, and as the machinery of government change is worked through we will be looking to ensure that DCMS as a whole is learning from their approach and perspective, including in the digital sphere.  We are already putting the experience of the Olympics to use in business as usual digital communication work, and will continue to share and learn with colleagues across the department and across Government.

We recognise that staff need support in achieving a digital by default standard, therefore we will need to improve capability to ensure that this happens.

Key next steps:
•	Using the move to GOV.UK as an opportunity to improve the accessibility of DCMS web content to make sure that everybody can use it easily
•	Building digital capacity among policy makers in the department.  Please see specific actions at 5.2
•	Improving the way people can engage with us to help shape policy.   As well as looking at ways of making it easier for people to complete “traditional” consultations online, we will also continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in terms of digital and online consultation and engagement
•	We will explore options, with the aim of introducing a more intuitive and accessible “standard” online consultation system in May 2013
•	We will continue to help the public to communicate with us online, pushing the barriers of Government digital communication practice throughout the policy process, from consultation to implementation 
•	We will share best practice internally amongst policy makers and across government

PART 4:  Digital by default best practice

Digital development is an important part of our arm’s length bodies’ roles in engaging with the public.  As became clear in the workshops we held to help inform this strategy, they are very aware of this agenda and doing great work in becoming digital.  We will work with our bodies to agree appropriate digital indicators which can then be reflected in future management agreements.  

Our workshops with arm’s length bodies showed that whilst they are at different stages, they support the key tenets of the digital by default agenda.  These include the key importance of user-centricity, agility, iterative change and organisational responsiveness, efficiency and the opportunities presented by collaboration.  In their comments on their own experiences of implementing a digital strategy, they echoed the Cabinet Office’s key emphasis on senior buy-in and the need for a cultural shift.  They cited having a senior champion at Board level, utilising the know-how and digital enthusiasm of younger staff, and a tactic of getting staff to use social media-type technology internally to familiarise them with it, as effective ways to tackle these challenges.

4.1	 	 Delivery bodies

We have world-leading museums and galleries who provide services and content which excite and interest the public.  Museums and galleries are very aware of the challenge and opportunities presented by the digital agenda. The Imperial War Museums and National Gallery worked together to ‘navigate the bumpy road’ of moving their very traditional organisations into a digitally-active space. We have collated a number of detailed case studies that can be found at Annex A.  

The British Library has embarked on a strategic programme to secure the long-term future of the national newspaper collection through digitisation.  Created in partnership with brightsolid, the British Newspaper Archive offers access to more than 5.25 million fully searchable pages – with a free search facility – featuring around 200 newspaper titles from every part of the UK and Ireland.  Please see case study 2 for more details.

You can find data from the existing measures that we ask our museums and galleries to track on our website. One of the indicators is the number of unique website visits. Some museums have changed the way that they measure this over the reporting period (footnoted in the data table).  This has produced a downward discontinuity for these museums, so the total for all museum and gallery website visits should be treated with caution.  However for those who have not made a reporting change the overall figures show a broadly upward trend in the number of website visits.

4.2	 	Strategic, advisory and regulatory bodies

There is a lot that these bodies are already doing to make it easier for the public to engage with them online.  For example Arts Council England actively encourages online applications for grants – as online applications reduce their administration costs meaning that they can provide more funding for arts.  In general, those bodies that have grant-giving as part of their core business provide facilities for online applications.

English Heritage is working towards an overall approach of “digital fluency” – thinking digitally first rather than translating into digital at the end of the process.  It has applied this approach to particular projects – including work on Stonehenge.  Please see Annex A for more details. 

The BFI is working towards its long term goal of making the UK’s entire screen heritage digitally accessible, which is a key priority in their five year Film Forever plan.  From 2013, £3m a year will be made available to archives and rights-holders across the UK to make this happen – aiming to make 10,000 films available across a range of digital platforms.  Please see further case studies at Annex A.

4.3  	Broadcasters 
DCMS are responsible for broadcasting policy and look after the government’s relationship with the broadcasters – but those broadcasters are completely independent.  They are absolute market-leaders in the development of digital services, fundamentally influencing the way that the public interact with the media.  When DMCS set the purpose and remit for Channel 4 and S4C (the Welsh fourth channel), and negotiated the Royal Charter that establishes the BBC, we ensured that they included digital aims.  

The BBC has as one of its six public purposes “delivering to the public the benefit of emerging communications technologies and services”.  BBC iPlayer has been a true game-changer in the way the public digest media content.  The BBC released performance figures in October 2012 showing that iPlayer programme requests reached 213 million in that month, breaking the 200 million mark for the first time.  It is also now quick and easy to pay for your TV licence online.

Channel 4’s public service remit states that they must demonstrate “innovation, experiment and creativity in form and content of programmes”.  The remit was updated by the 2010 Digital Economy Act, requiring Channel 4 to broadcast or distribute “relevant media content by means of a range of different types of electronic communications networks”.  Building on the success of the hugely popular 4OD, they are now looking to introduce more digital innovations.  They have developed a viewer relationship strategy, whereby they ask viewers to register so that they can communicate with them directly and in a more targeted way.  So far they have 6 million registered users, with 1 in 3 16-24 year olds registered.

S4C have created a group to agree a way forward on digital media.  This recommended redefining the channel’s core purpose of providing “television services” to include “a range of different media”, establishing a detailed digital strategy and investing in online content through the S4C digital fund. 

4.4  	Digital fundraising

In order to strengthen their financial resilience and encourage philanthropy across society, we are supporting our sectors to develop and refine their approach to fundraising.  Digital technology provides a fantastic resource to support fundraising and to grow tax-effective charitable giving.  Properly harnessed, resources which support mobile online giving, crowdfunding and micro-donations reduce the burden on both the donor and the fundraiser.  They also enable arts, heritage and sport bodies to personalise and enhance the quality of the experience for their supporters and visitors, as well as encouraging charitable giving by young people.  We have commissioned a report on ways in which digital technology can be used to boost and democratise philanthropy in our sectors.  The report will be published in December 2012, and its recommendations will be pursued in 2013.  

4.5 	Key next steps

•	We will work with our bodies to agree appropriate digital indicators which can be reflected in future management agreements – ongoing
•	We will set up a virtual network amongst our ALBs – so that our bodies can take it in turns to host sessions on digital developments on a regular basis – December 2012
•	Report into use of digital technology and philanthropy – December 2012
•	We will provide an online platform for our ALBs to use to share non-sensitive digital data such as user testing, successes, procurement best practice etc. – by March 2013
•	We will continue to offer the opportunity to ALBs to feature on our website and social media channels to highlight their excellent work in the digital arena – ongoing  
PART 5:  A digital by default culture

5.1		Change programme and cultural change

This is an ideal time for DCMS to examine our structure and culture to ensure that it supports digital by default, as we are in the middle of a Departmental change programme.  Alongside realising our targets on pay and non-pay costs, it is our ambition to build a high performing and flexible department and to achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation.  As part of this process, we are looking at IT capabilities and internal communications to support new ways of working.  

However we do not underestimate the importance of cultural change in making these tools and techniques work for us – and there are no easy answers on this. The DCMS change team has sought staff input throughout the process, and this is something we will continue, to ensure that other changes have the desired effect in reality.  We have also identified a number of learning opportunities for staff which can be found at 5.2.

IT capability and efficiency:
In terms of taking opportunities to use digital by default to help us work more smartly – driving efficiency and allowing us to make savings – this is something that is at the heart of our departmental change programme.  

We are using the move to a new building as a catalyst for change, and taking the opportunity to make a number of improvements that will move us towards a digital by default approach internally.  We are looking to encourage more flexible and remote working, and ensuring that the technology we provide supports this.  Our aim is to move closer towards providing a “paperless office”, by improving our shared electronic filing system to make it much more user-friendly, and driving down use of printing which will save money and help us to meet sustainability targets.  We are also exploring the possibility of becoming fully Wi Fi enabled – meaning that both staff and visitors could access the network allowing more efficient working, less paper and collaborative working in meetings.  

Another change that we are interested in is whether we could streamline the use of emails to save space on the system – and whether we can use our staff directory to help save time in locating people by providing a “location update” function.  However, as noted above, to make these individual changes have a real impact on the culture of DCMS will require buy-in from staff.

Our digital approach will also take account of developments across government to enhance opportunities for better ways of working and harnessing technological developments where appropriate.  

Internal communications:
Within DCMS we are attempting to put “digital by default” at the heart of our work on improving internal communications.  We made the move some time ago to solely digital internal and external publications, and we also have a completely online HR system – including electronic payslips.  All-staff meetings are filmed and uploaded to the intranet.

However we are not complacent and have recently begun a project to redevelop our intranet site to make it the go-to place for all DCMS information.  We want the intranet to be a tool which staff actively use to complete transactions such as filling out forms, finding out who is working on which projects, and getting information on what is going on in the department.  Our aspiration is to allow users to personalise their online work profiles to a greater degree – including up to date information on the latest projects they are working on and, with staff hot-desking and working remotely more, location updates to allow people to find each other more easily.  We will explore with staff whether this would be of benefit.   

We are using the lessons and principles of GOV.UK to govern the intranet redevelopment project, working with open source technology, using an iterative, agile development technique, and using both the design principles and task-based architecture that GOV.UK has demonstrated to such excellent effect.  We are also following GDS procurement advice throughout the project. 

5.2     HR and skills 

In DCMS we recognise that embedding digital by default will require staff to have the opportunity to develop digital capability.  In order to achieve this we will seek to recruit people with digital skills from outside, as well as investing in our own people.

Digital masterclasses – DCMS runs masterclasses for staff on a range of topics.  These provide the opportunity for staff to get together, share ideas and learn from each other, with the benefit of guidance from a subject expert.  We already offer a career masterclass which focuses on using social media for networking.  We will now consider the possibility of providing a session focused on use of digital media in policy-making – drawing on both internal digital expertise, and experts from the Government Communications Network and GDS as appropriate.

Civil Service Learning – In DCMS we are promoting the Civil Service Learning offer, highlighting specific courses to help staff to meet the new Civil Service competencies.  Our immediate aim is to specifically promote the Civil Service Learning app to all staff, so they can use Civil Service Learning ‘on the move’ by December 2012.

Secondments and the Fast Stream – In our preparations for the launch of our new secondments programme, we will work to identify digital opportunities by summer 2013. We will look at how these could fit with Fast Stream deployments.  We do not have digital transactional services delivery projects within DCMS, but will work with our arm’s length bodies and other departments to identify any opportunities.  We have one member of staff out on secondment to GDS, and this is something that we feel is of benefit to the department and will look to repeat in the future if possible.

Civil Service Jobs site – We will continue to advertise DCMS vacancies on the Civil Service online Jobs Portal.  

Public appointments – We already publicise all public appointments online on DCMS, Cabinet Office and ALB websites as well as using Twitter and other social media channels to promote them.  We maintain a public appointments database used to record personal details of appointees and to track when their terms are coming to an end.  We are currently looking at upgrading the database to use more up-to-date technology, and make it accessible online.  

5.3  	Procurement

DCMS is fully engaged with and committed to all current developments in government procurement including developments around the use of digital tools.  In particular,
DCMS is currently in the process of changing the way procurement is delivered in the Department and aims to build a departmental pipeline for all procurements, enabling businesses to invest in capability and resources as necessary.  

We advertise all opportunities over £10k on Contracts Finder and use the Delta e-sourcing system, ensuring that all such opportunities are available online.  Looking forward we will introduce and embed LEAN procurement principles across all procurements in the Department, including utilising extensive pre-procurement market engagement.  We will break contracts into lots to encourage SME’s and seek to take advantage of the market’s latest offerings and innovations.

Where competing for digital services, we have sought the advice and guidance of GDS on routes to market, and we seek to use existing Government Procurement Service contracts where these exist, including the G-Cloud store.  We are currently considering the opportunities presented by the Small Business Research Initiative – to help provide innovative companies with an early opportunity to work with us to provide solutions.  

5.4  	Case study – the correspondence team  

What was the challenge?
In September 2009 the department was working to address its poor correspondence performance – only 58 per cent of MPs letters were going out in 20 working days.  In May 2010, to meet the demands of the digital age and the administration reductions required, we declared a departmental ambition to deliver correspondence to a deadline of 48 hours.

What did you do to make the process digital by default?
To deliver the massive step to 48-hour turnaround we were forced to consider radical changes in the way we processed work.  Significantly we introduced a paperless system for correspondence, developing new bespoke software designed for Ministers to clear letters and PQs electronically, and responses to letters are now sent by default via email.  New tracking systems for correspondence were also implemented – and a fast-track system for common queries, where a response is approved by Ministers on a subject area and letters are sent out on their behalf with an electronic signature, was introduced.  The public are encouraged to send any enquiries through the website. 

Was any cultural change required and how did you approach this?
The appetite for improvement was backed by Ministers and the DCMS Board, who supported changes to working practices and the cultural transformation needed to raise the importance of correspondence in the department.  To maximise efficiency the team now manage workloads on a daily basis, analysing peaks and troughs using trend data going back three years and monitoring performance on a weekly basis. Weekly reports on performance and a topical report to raise awareness of public concerns are displayed on the intranet and on every floor in the building to help keep the rest of the department up to date.  The use of a “word-cloud” to show the current themes in correspondence has been very effective in communicating public concerns in one simple diagram:

What was the result?
This has enabled the department to reply to over 60 per cent of correspondence in 48 hours, 88 per cent in 10 working days.   Over the past two years the use of digital technology has contributed to the resource savings within this area.  

5.5	 Gaps and key next steps

Gaps:
This strategy recognises that there is more we could do to provide staff with the tools and capabilities to make digital by default a reality.  Whilst we have a dedicated digital resource within our communications team, we recognise that there is more work required to spread that knowledge to others within the department, particularly policy officials.  

Therefore we have worked to provide a new digital training offer for staff as outlined above.  This is a new approach for us, so will take some work but we believe that it will pay dividends in terms of helping to create that all-important cultural change towards a digital by default DCMS.  

Key next steps:
•	Employees able to use Civil Service learning ‘on the move’ – by December 2012
•	Engage staff to get input to IT and other changes, and to achieve buy-in – by February 2013 
•	Full release of new intranet – by March 2013
•	Migration to GOV.UK complete – by March 2013
•	Start offering secondments with a digital element where appropriate – by summer 2013
•	Digital masterclasses – from summer 2013
•	Continue to promote Civil Service Learning and advertise DCMS vacancies on the Civil Service online Jobs Portal – ongoing 

PART 6:  The 14 actions

Principles and actions	
Principle 1 – Improve departmental leadership	
A1	Departmental and transactional agency boards will include an active digital leader.	
DCMS response:

DCMS has appointed a departmental digital leader at Executive Board level.  The digital leader has taken ownership of this strategy, championing the importance of the digital by default agenda internally.  He will continue to provide that senior level push to ensure that all areas of the department are thinking digitally – whether that is in policy-making, through the change programme, within our communications with the public or more widely.  
	
A2	Services handling over 100,000 transactions per year will be redesigned, operated and improved by a suitably skilled, experienced and empowered Service Manager. The cross-Government Digital Strategy requests “Service Managers will be in place for new and redesigned transactions from April 2013”.	
DCMS response:

DCMS does not provide transactional services – therefore we will not be appointing any Service Managers.  As you will see in other areas of this strategy, not least from the case studies at Annex A, our arm’s length bodies have embraced the digital agenda, and with that they have highlighted the crucial importance of both senior leadership and appropriate in-house digital skills.  DCMS will continue to encourage this progress.
	
Principle 2 – Develop digital capability throughout the civil service	
A3	All Departments will ensure that they have appropriate digital capability in-house, including specialist skills.	
DCMS response:

In DCMS we recognise that embedding digital by default will require staff to have the opportunity to learn digital skills as part of their individual learning plans.  We have identified a number of potential opportunities that we will look to provide in the future.  These can be found in section 5.2 HR and skills. 
	
A4	Cabinet Office will support improved digital capability across departments.	
DCMS response:

DCMS is keen to work with the Government Digital Service and the Government Communications Network to ensure that our staff have access to the most up-to-date digital skills and knowledge.  We are actively working to identify digital learning opportunities – examples of that work can be found in section 5.2 HR and skills.
	
Principle 3 – Redesign transactional services to meet a new Digital by Default service standard	
A5	For “transactional departments” three exemplar services will be selected. Redesign starting April 2013, implemented March 2015 (to be included in relevant business plans). Following this, departments will redesign all services handling over 100k transactions a year.	
DCMS response:

As outlined within our strategy, DCMS is very much in the lead on electronic communications and internet policy.  Therefore whilst we do not provide transactional services, please see our executive summary for an overview of our departmental digital vision.
	
A6	From April 2014, all new or redesigned transactional services will meet the Digital by Default service standard.	
DCMS response:

As outlined within our strategy, DCMS is very much in the lead on electronic communications and internet policy.  Therefore whilst we do not provide transactional services, please see our executive summary for an overview of our departmental digital vision.
	
Principle 4 – Complete the transition to GOV.UK	
A7	Corporate publishing activities of all 24 central government departments will move onto GOV.UK by March 2013, with agency and arm’s length bodies’ online publishing to follow by March 2014.	
DCMS response: 

We have participated fully in the process running up to the launch of GOV.UK, and are excited about the potential of this new platform.  DCMS does not offer transactional services, so we have relatively little content on the citizen- and business-facing sections, but are on schedule to transfer our content to the “Inside Government” section of GOV.UK in March 2013.  The nature of the business of DCMS’ arm’s length bodies means that they fall within exempt categories – however we are nonetheless looking to work with them on their digital developments. 
	
Principle 5 – Increase the number of people who use digital services	
A8	Departments will raise awareness of their digital services so that more people know about them and use them	
DCMS response:

We have worked hard to engage with the public and encourage them to interact with us digitally, both in formal consultations and in day-to-day digital communication activity. We will use the lessons learnt from projects as diverse as the Communications Review and London 2012 to feed into a programme of continuous improvement, aiming to be at the forefront of Whitehall digital communication.  As set out in 2.3 Demand stimulation DCMS is also working to stimulate demand and increase use of digital services.  In addition, DCMS is responsible for national library policy.  Please see 2.4 Libraries for details of how libraries across the UK are helping people to access digital services. 

Principle 6 – Provide consistent services for people who have rarely or never been online	
A9	We will take a cross-government approach to assisted digital. This means that people who have rarely or never been online will be able to access services offline, and we will provide additional ways for them to use the digital services.	
DCMS response:

DMCS has participated in this agenda through active membership of the assisted digital stakeholder group.  In addition, we are working to encourage local projects to integrate assisted digital into their demand stimulation campaigns.  Please see 2.3 Demand stimulation for more details.  Finally DCMS are responsible for national library policy, and we believe that libraries can play a key part in delivering assisted digital across government.  Please see 2.4 Libraries for more details.
	
Principle 7 – Broaden the range of those tendering to supply digital services, including more small and medium sized enterprises	
A10	Cabinet Office will offer leaner and more lightweight tendering processes, as close to the best practice in industry as our regulatory requirements allow.	
DCMS response:

DCMS is fully engaged with and committed to all developments in government  procurement including around the use of digital tools.  We are in the process of changing the way procurement is delivered in the Department, aiming to build a departmental pipeline, enabling businesses to invest in capability and resources as necessary.  Please see section 5.3 Procurement for more details.

Principle 8 – Build common technology platforms for digital by default services	
A11	Cabinet Office will lead in the definition and delivery of a new suite of common technology platforms which will underpin the new generation of Digital by Default services.	
DCMS response:

Although DCMS does not directly deliver any transactional services, we look forward to cooperating with GDS to define any common tools that will help improve our service to users in other areas.  
	
Principle 9 – Remove unnecessary legislative barriers	
A12	Cabinet Office will continue to work with departments to remove legislative barriers which unnecessarily prevent the development of straightforward and convenient digital services.	
DCMS response:

Whilst DCMS does not provide transactional services, we are committed to ensuring that our legislation is fit for a digital world.  In line with our commitment to being digital by default, we will ensure that we develop legislation that, where relevant, supports straightforward digital by default services.  In particular we are looking at a range of measures to remove red tape in support of the rollout of broadband.  Please see 2.2 Reducing red tape for more details.  

Gambling Bill:
Another example is work currently underway on the Gambling (Licensing & Advertising) Bill – ensuring the regulatory regime is adapted in line with advancements in digital technology.  Participation in remote gambling is steadily increasing and DCMS is committed to strengthening the regulation of remote gambling to ensure that effective consumer protection measures are afforded to all British-based consumers, including those using digital forms of remote communication. 

Under the current regulatory arrangements set out in the Gambling Act 2005, only gambling operators with key equipment located in Great Britain are required to be licenced by the Gambling Commission. Consequently, consumers based in Great Britain face different consumer protection arrangements, and have to deal with a myriad of different regulators, depending on where the remote gambling they are taking part in is regulated. This problem is growing as more countries permit online gambling.

DCMS’ reforms allow for the amendment of the Gambling Act 2005 so that remote gambling is regulated predominantly on a point of consumption basis. 
	
Principle 10 – Base service decisions on accurate and timely management information	
A13	Departments will supply a consistent set of management information (as defined by the Cabinet Office) for their transactional services.	
DCMS response:

DCMS does not offer transactional services directly to the public, so the extent to which we can provide data is limited.  However, we are fully in concert with the new, data-driven approach of GDS and will cooperate fully in collating and returning appropriate data to the Cabinet Office.  Please see our executive summary for an overview of our departmental digital vision. 	
Principle 11 – Improve the way that the government makes policy and communicates with people	
A14	Policy teams will use digital tools and techniques to engage with and consult the public.	
DCMS response:

DCMS has a strong record in digital engagement work, from the Communications Review project that has brought stakeholders and the public into the debate about the regulatory framework for the communications industry, to the delivery of London 2012 – the first Digital Games.  Please see Part 3 for further details.	
ANNEX A:  Arm’s length body case studies

Case study 1 – English Heritage – Digital Fluency Initiative

What was the challenge?
After a review of the results and benefits realisation of the previous English Heritage Digital Strategy it became clear that there were many individual successes.  For instance we had achieved an overall increase in traffic of 59 per cent through the redesign of the main website, launched new social media channels, launched a new iPhone and Android app and improved our e-commerce capabilities.  However the take-up of digital and the realisation of its potential was uneven across different parts of the organisation.  The situation could be best described by using a language analogy: staff were, in many cases, successfully “translating” previously off-line projects into digital, but they were not yet all thinking digital first. Digital delivery was often thought of only at the end of projects, at which point it was more expensive and less effective than if it were built into the project from the start. As such, the organisation could be said to not yet be “fluent” in digital, a level when translation will no longer be required.

What was your approach to becoming digital by default?
To become fluent in digital and so be “digital by default”, English Heritage launched a new digital strategy in the summer of 2012, putting the achievement of digital fluency right at its heart.

This would be achieved through delivering a number of key objectives, for example: 
•	Making sure that digital delivery was embedded in all projects from the start
•	Making sure all digital projects are carried out in a way that is informed by real user needs, which is ensured through rigorous user testing
•	Reducing fragmentation of the digital brand by reducing the number of separate English Heritage websites, and improve interlinking between those that remain
•	Offering more of our rich content online – including archives, collections and research – and structuring content in such a way that traffic flows from traffic-rich parts of our websites, like our property and visitor info pages, to this content, giving the user a richer context to their visit

Was any cultural change required and how did you approach this?
The new strategy recognised that a significant transformation was required internally within English Heritage to achieve digital fluency, including changes such as:
•	Offering training in new digital technology to all staff at the right level – from entry level familiarity-type training to more advanced training in specific technologies required for their job
•	Reviewing job descriptions for staff and departmental plans to make sure digital targets were embedded at every level
•	Improving co-ordination of all digital activity via a central Digital Board dealing with strategy and a Digital Working Group running the projects
•	Making sure digital skills were a key part of HR processes such as performance reviews and the hire of new staff
•	Opening up access to social media tools like Facebook to all staff by default, supported by training and clear policies and guidance for how it should be used

What was the result?
It is still early days, only six months into the three year strategy period. However, there have already been some changes and tangible results.  The new Digital Board and governance structures have been set up and well bedded-in over the past year through the process of developing the strategy itself. 

The improved communication between different departments represented at this Board has led to a more collaborative approach, where new initiatives are made to fit in with existing online assets rather than launched separately, and particular improvements in one area are being copied and applied elsewhere. This is a significant step forward from the situation in the past where each department or team who had the funding would likely have launched their own independent website, with few links to all other digital assets.

We have also kicked off a number of collaborative projects that involve multiple departments working together, including a customer relationship management strategy and a review of e-Commerce.

Apart from improved co-ordination and collaboration, the planned training courses for staff are now being developed, a social media working group has been set up and plans are being put together for the opening up of access to social media channels like Facebook to all staff.

Case study 2 – British Library Newspaper Programme

What was the challenge? 
The British Library holds one of the world's finest collections of newspapers, spanning three centuries and including 52,000 local, regional, national and international titles. The British Library Newspaper Programme is a strategic programme to secure the long-term future of the national newspaper collection.

Each year our Newspaper Library at Colindale is used by 30,000 researchers in subjects ranging from family history and genealogy to sports statistics, politics and industrial history. However, this vast resource is held mainly in hard copy and microfilm, necessitating a trip to the north London site for people wishing to use the collection. The long-term future of the collection was also being compromised by less than desirable storage conditions at Colindale. For both of these reasons, the Newspaper Programme had to involve a large-scale digitisation of newspapers, to ensure their preservation electronically and widen access to the newspaper collection for researchers.

What was your approach to becoming digital by default?
At the heart of our vision is a belief that everyone who wants to do research should have access to the rich resource of content held by the British Library. Our ambition is for users to be able to download, share and re-use public domain digital content for the benefit of the economy and society.

Given this ambition, digitisation is an important way for us to increase access to our content. We sought a commercial partner for the digitisation of newspapers to bring innovation and commercial know-how into the partnership and share risks and costs – marrying our ambitious digital agenda with careful management of limited resources.

brightsolid, a subsidiary of DC Thomson, was selected following an EU procurement process.  brightsolid had previously delivered the highly successful 1911census.co.uk project in partnership with The National Archives, and owns the leading family history resources findmypast.co.uk and genesreunited.co.uk.  brightsolid took on the commercial and technical risks of the project, with no direct costs to the British Library.

Was any cultural change required and how did you approach this?
To a large extent, major culture change was not necessary as the Library has a track record of entering into commercial partnerships to advance its vision for digital access. Our previous partnerships with organisations like Microsoft and Google had prepared the Library well for launching a major digitisation project for the newspaper collection.

What was the result? 
brightsolid’s digitisation team, based at the Newspaper Library at Colindale, now digitises up to 8,000 pages of historic newspapers every working day, with 18 staff working on the project; the British Library saved in excess of £1m by not taking on the establishment and staffing of the digitisation suite itself.  The value of the digitisation itself is estimated at around £1 per newspaper page.  The suite will digitise up to 40 million newspaper pages over the next decade, with around seven million digitised so far – making potential total savings of up to £40m.

The digitised collection can be accessed in the British Library’s Reading Rooms, so the use of the newspapers by researchers no longer poses a risk to their condition, and the Library’s readers can still access the material, now with the benefit of a search function, free of charge.  The British Newspaper Archive website offers access to more than 5.25 million fully searchable pages – with a free search facility – featuring around 200 newspaper titles from every part of the UK and Ireland. The site can be used at a range of prices including a seven-day subscription for £9.95. 

Case study 3 - Equality and Human Rights Commission publications

What was the challenge?
We produce a range of publications to support our work promoting equality and human rights.  In the past we had sent out these publications in paper form.  Therefore the challenge was to achieve a “digital by default” approach by moving to electronic dissemination.
 
What was your approach to becoming digital by default?
Our approach was to consult stakeholders via a virtual survey, track customer journeys and use data from Google analytics to find out when and where people were requesting paper publications.  This then allowed us to convert hard copy publication requests into digital downloads via various easy to use formats.  We developed mechanisms to direct customers to the website via messaging, use of QR codes and specific digital journeys from the research outlined above, to prompt and encourage people to download rather than request printed copies.  In turn we were then able to achieve the twin aims of providing an even better service to customers whilst reducing printing and publication storage costs.

Was any cultural change required and how did you approach this?
We did some internal communications and provided training to stakeholder-facing staff.  This meant that they could help educate stakeholders and point out the benefits of the digital approach and all of the formats available to them – e.g. easyread, accessible word and pdf – and other “digital advantages” like the fact that the site recommends related articles and allows stakeholders to feed back their comments and thoughts.

We also spent time liaising with internal project leads to advise them of the digital approach and to consider this as our default position rather than assuming we would always print – this is of course a cultural change and is on-going. 

What was the result? 
Downloads increased by 30 per cent, print costs reduced by 60 per cent and we reduced fulfilment costs from £130k a year to £24k a year.  We still do print some documents where we are physically launching a publication at an event, or to accommodate reasonable adjustments, but the “digital by default” approach and the resulting outcomes speak for themselves.

Case study 4 – Historic Royal Palaces’ (HRP) digital strategy

What is the challenge? 
The challenge is to pull together an overarching strategy that will see HRP enhance the delivery of its cause through the use of digital technology.  This could be through accessing an extended audience or using digital technology to enhance the visitor experience.  We recognise that there is a whole new generation that we are not currently engaging as much as we could, and that the vast majority of people now interact with the world digitally.  Our work is at an early stage – so far we have focused on gaining the senior buy-in necessary to take a digital approach.

What is your approach to becoming digital by default? 
For us becoming digital by default is an organisational change. There is a lot of great work being delivered at the moment but it lacks an overarching purpose with senior level sign-off.  We have worked internally with trustees and the Executive Board to agree an overarching purpose, which is:

“Exploit digital throughout the organisation to enhance the visitor journey and extend the reach of our Cause beyond our physical palaces, whilst also creating an efficient working environment for HRP employees.”

With this agreed at a high level (trustee level) we are now working on pulling together a set of organisational outcomes.  These could be along the lines of;
•	Increase retail turnover by xx% through the sales of digital apps
•	Extend the reach of our cause to the internet through the generation of rich content
•	Use technology to enhance our office systems and improve the efficiency of the organisation

The outcomes will underpin the delivery of the purpose.  We are also working on a vision statement that is more aspirational.  An internal engagement piece is also underway to ensure we build organisational commitment and awareness.

Is any cultural change required and how will you approach this?
A key element of this work will be to evolve the organisational culture.  The required shift will be multi-dimensional and revolve around our core principles and supporting strategy.  The challenge is that for many digital is seen as something to fear.  We need to work with all individuals to develop not only their competence but also confidence in the use of digital and the associated devices and tools. 

What results have you seen so far and what overall outcomes are you aiming for?
The existence of a digital strategy is raising the awareness of the work already carried out to date which is a good outcome. We are also seeing more senior team engagement which is critical.  We are expecting to develop a three year plan which will result in a step change of capability for the organisation and a real change in the way we use digital technology to support our Cause.

Case study 5 - English Heritage – Stonehenge 

Background:
Stonehenge is one of the most important and loved ancient monuments in the world. However, everyone agrees its landscape setting is far from ideal and that visitor facilities are inadequate.  After several attempts a new scheme, spearheaded by English Heritage and supported by a wide range of partners, is finally about to be realised. 

The Stonehenge web pages are currently collected in a single section of the corporate site and received over a million views last year.  However they do not currently deliver a level of impact that matches the monument’s status as a British icon, convey our aspiration for the site or afford it the profile it deserves as a leading visitor attraction. 

With a new visitor centre proposed, new world-class visitor facilities, greater access to the wider landscape and museum-quality interpretation, a new website for Stonehenge is an essential part of communicating the breadth and depth of the changes on site.

In addition a new online ticketing system will be introduced to manage the expected rise in visitor numbers and improve the visitor experience.

Our biggest challenges:
•	To do justice to our aspirations for Stonehenge and the new visitor experience
•	To integrate and optimise pre-booked/online ticketing opportunities
•	To recognise and integrate deeper content opportunities working with a huge amount of source content (and internal stakeholders), and how we present this for a consumer audience
•	Maintaining existing webpages whilst developing the new website and planning the migration between the two
•	Working to integrate links to third party strategic partners 

How we approached becoming digital by default:
We approached putting digital at the heart of the development project by:
•	Driving online ticketing and booking
•	Visitor journey planning
•	Marketing and communications planning
•	Interpretation – joining up the online and offline journey with the customer experience now starting online before their visit to the attraction
•	Member offer – including bringing modern digital features to our members’ magazine
•	Education offer – bringing together teacher resources and interactive planning tools in one digital space

We also looked for ways to bring the experience to life online including moving images and interactive elements and developed smarter user journeys with buy-in of key stakeholders.  This has helped them understand why we are structuring their content in a certain way and not creating departmental silos on the page.  Finally we are evolving the existing pages in line with the development of new website to manage customer expectations and carry clear communication.

Our approach to cultural change:
Significant cultural change is required for this project to succeed. We have started by making sure all stakeholders are comfortable and informed through joined-up communications.  This has ensured that all stakeholders feel invested in the online project.  We are also communicating with customers and local stakeholders through news stories linking back to a dedicated project space on the existing webpages.

Results:
Although it is too early to show comprehensive results, early benefits include:
•	Greater collaboration between departments
•	Greater understanding of audience and user journeys
•	Greater understanding of e-ticketing therefore greater buy-in for the need to make the ticketing system more efficient
•	Time saved on stakeholder negotiations because of joined up communications and new culture of cooperation
•	Identifying and optimising opportunities for cross-selling and creating an integrated sales approach
•	Wider member support for the project
ANNEX B:  DCMS’ arm’s length bodies
DCMS is responsible for 42 arm’s length bodies – the vast majority of the DCMS budget goes to these bodies.  

8 Strategic Grant/National Lottery Bodies: 
•	Arts Council England
•	British Film Institute [also delivery – runs cinemas and film festivals]
•	English Heritage [also delivery – runs heritage sites]
•	National Heritage Memorial Fund / Heritage Lottery Fund
•	Olympic Lottery Distributor
•	Sport England
•	UK Sport
•	Visit Britain

24 Delivery Bodies: 
•	15 museums and galleries including the ‘nationals’
•	British Library
•	Churches Conservation Trust - jointly funded by the Church Commission  
•	Historic Royal Palaces
•	Horserace Betting Levy Board
•	Olympic Delivery Authority
•	Public Lending Right
•	Sports Ground Safety Authority
•	The Royal Parks
•	UK Anti-Doping

5 Advisory Bodies: 
•	Advisory Council on Libraries
•	Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest
•	Theatres Trust
•	Treasure Valuation Committee
•	Visit England

5 Regulators and tribunals:
•	OFCOM
•	Equality and Human Rights Commission
•	Horserace Betting Levy Appeal Tribunal for England and Wales
•	Gambling Commission
•	National Lottery Commission

DCMS also manages the Government’s relationship with the statutory broadcasters Channel 4 and S4C (Welsh Fourth Channel Authority) and the BBC.

2-4 Cockspur Street
London SW1Y 5DH
www.culture.gov.uk