Government intervention, Costs and the issue of Suspension
The Digital Economy Bill continues to be debated as it battles to get through the House of Lords, on its journey to becoming one of the most significant pieces of legislation for the creative industries in recent times.
The barriers to the progression of its journey have been due to the extremely divisive issues of the costs of the planned processes, suspending users access to the internet and also the ability of the Government to intervene in the processes at a later date.
FAST continues its backing for this Bill and reaffirms its support for the Government to continue to take a strong hand on this matter to see it as law by the General Election. FAST wants the Government to ensure that when the Bill is passed, it will stand up to the rigours required of this fast moving industry in the long term and not merely pay lip service to a current issue. Legitimate products mean tax revenue for the Treasury.
In short, Clause 17 must survive to also receive Royal Assent.
