Digital Economy Act will not be repealed

Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed that there are no plans to stop the Act

The new Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport has announced that the government has no plans to axe the Digital Economy Act.

A spokeswoman at the department confirmed to V3.co.uk: "The government has no intention of repealing the Digital Economy Act."

This is bad news for opponents of the Act, and represents an about turn for the political parties that until recently were in opposition.

The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats had both expressed concerns in the run up to the election that the Act had been rushed through and needed more consideration.

Hunt's comment suggests that these concerns have been forgotten, despite recent suggestions otherwise.

A statement issued at the Liberal Democrats' special conference earlier this month asked delegates to "take all possible steps to ensure the repeal of those sections of the Digital Economy Act 2010 which are inconsistent with policy motion 'Freedom, creativity and the internet'."

The coalition government announced its joint plans late last week. A study of the document shows no mention of the Act whatsoever. The principal focus is on improving the availability of high-speed internet services.