Baroness Hilary Armstrong

Biography

Baroness Hilary Armstrong has been appointed as the government’s first Chair of its new Digital Inclusion Action Committee.

The Digital Inclusion Action Committee is an external advisory body that will work closely with DSIT, made up of national and local experts. Its role is to scrutinise, steer and help determine the work of the government in reducing digital exclusion in every part of the UK.

Baroness Armstrong served in several roles in government between 1997 and 2007 and has a strong background in public service. As Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Minister for Social Exclusion under Prime Minister Tony Blair, she oversaw the government’s Action Plan on Social Exclusion, demonstrating her ability to drive national-level change in local neighbourhoods and communities. With Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott she established the New Deal for Communities. She also served as a government Chief Whip.

Serving as the Labour MP for North West Durham from 1987 to 2010, Baroness Armstrong was appointed as a life peer in 2010.

In 2025, the Digital Inclusion Action Committee’s members will be appointed, and its Terms of Reference will be published.