A research centre is to be created to investigate the impact of new technology on society and spearhead the government’s drive to end the digital divide. The target to put all local and central government services on line by 2005 holds benefits for those who can make use of them, but it will create inequality for others.The centre, which will be funded by the Department for Education and Employment, will bring together individuals to form an expert body in the development, review and use of Information Communications Technology research nationally and internationally. It will carry out a programme of research, review and analysis designed to build up a comprehensive database of knowledge.

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The 10 year Plan for improvement of the health service announced in July 2000 has been criticised by Julia Neuberger, Chief Executive of the Kings Fund. She claims that the Plan will not bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.Most of the initiatives to tackle health inequalities are short term and are mainly at the margins of the health service. Some groups of people appear to have been forgotten. The Government’s disappointing proposals on long-term care funding and its focus on preventing ill health among people under 75 leave older people out in the cold.

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