Andy Kinsey

So today, Ed went to speak to Google at the Big Tent. (see picture above). He went on the offensive talking about how we need to reform international tax and how tax avoidance is wrong. And he, of course, is spot on with that - but I want to focus on something Ed skipped passed in someways - The future of the web in the uk.

Ed spoke about how the government’s favoured ebacc doesn’t cater for tech, creativity or anything vocational like engineering. He spoke about how this could mean that in the UK we may not see another Sir Jony Ive and how we are unlikely to founding a company like Google.

Ed also spoke about the “digital divide” and how it excludes the potential designers, innovators, entrepreneurs of the future. Much the same as with the ebacc. Ed also said that we need to ensure everyone in this country can benefit from the internet and everything it offers - but what Ed missed here was the chance to call on Google to help with the role out of superfast broadband across the country. Asking them to do what they are in America and beginning to role out fiberhoods (superfast broadband connections in cities). Maybe it’s just me the tech geek speaking here, but more likely it is that I want to take Ed’s vision of ‘an internet for everyone’ and push it further and faster than anyone in the country can right now - If we can roll out superfast broadband it will mean more high-end tech jobs, it will mean more opportunities for everyone (including young people) and most of all it means that in a world where speed can make or break a deal that we as a country are ahead of the game. It would be great for the economy, it would be great for industry and it would be great for the people of this country too.

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Just one final note, you can read Ed’s Speech to Google here. Though I want to point out that “don’t be evil” is not Google’s founding slogan, it was said once in a regular friday meeting and stuck as a mantra.

A few weeks ago Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester Police & Crime Commissioner, launched his strategic consultation. 

The consultation is an 8 question survey open to anyone within Greater Manchester. The aim is to get as many views on policing and crime priorities as possible, from this a strategic plan can be created for the coming years.

This strategic plan will have a large impact on everyone living in Tameside and the other boroughs of Greater Manchester. It is because of this I would like to urge all Tameside residents, young and old, to take the survey which can be found at:

www.gmpcc.org.uk/yoursay

Please also spread the word to your family and friends.

Earlier today the BBC reported:

Over 40,000 firms, including energy providers, banks and hospitals could be required to report cyber-break-ins under new rules proposed by the EU.

and

firms are concerned that reporting online attacks and security breaches might damage their reputations.

This is a move I welcome in general though would look to ensure that those who report hacking, unless on a huge scale (as seen recently by twitter), should be kept confidential - at least in terms of naming those hacked. All hacks should be made public, including how the hacking happened and what is happening within that company and the IT security community to prevent such future hacking. 

This is not just an issue which effects business but also public sector facilities such as electricity generation facilities, one such facility in the USA was recently infected with a virus. 

This is a move I do welcome and hope comes to fruition, as it is for the greater good of the web society.