Digital Britain head Stephen Carter to step down

Stephen Carter is likely to head for the private sector

Stephen Carter, head of the government's communication strategy, has announced plans to step down soon after the publication of the Digital Britain report on 16 June.

Carter is likely to rejoin the private sector, possibly as the chief executive of ITV, according to reports.

The Digital Britain report will deal with a number of issues, such as the measures that should be taken to curb illegal downloads, how to make broadband available to all, and how public service broadcasting should be funded.

Commenting on Carter's decision, a spokeswoman at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said: "I am not sure if we will put out a statement on this. We will not be speculating on who would replace him if he is to be replaced."

If Carter's role is not to be filled, it might mean that business secretary Peter Mandelson is put in charge of overseeing the implementation of the Digital Britain report. Mandelson currently heads up the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, which jointly oversees the Digital Britain agenda with the DCMS.

Mandelson has spoken previously about the importance of securing broadband for all citizens in an attempt to tackle digital exclusion, but his views on what should happen to illegal downloaders are unclear.

One suggestion is that the Digital Britain report is likely to put forward a strategy that would allow internet service providers (ISPs) to introduce a premium rate service targeted at file sharers. The ISP would then compensate the entertainment industry from its extra profit.

The government is now left with two empty ministerial positions in charge of helping the digitally excluded.

Paul Murphy, the former minister for digital inclusion who proposed the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, was involved in the government expenses scandal and resigned on 5 June. The government has yet to announce his replacement, although Martha Lane Fox is reportedly in line for the role of Digital Inclusion Champion.

Although ITV declined to comment on whether Carter would join the organisation, a spokeswoman for the company confirmed the broadcaster had just started the application process. "The position will be announced before the end of the year," she added.