DTI considers two HCI alternative schemes
Government expected to make a decision to relaunch PC tax-break scheme
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is considering backing one of two potential Home Computing Initiative (HCI) alternatives and expects to reach a decision within the next two to three weeks.
Following the DTI’s meeting with HCI industry representatives on 9 June, as exclusively revealed by CRN last week (CRN, 12 June), two proposals are under consideration. One proposal has come from the now disbanded HCI Alliance, and one from Martin Prescott, former managing director of HCI reseller Red PC.
Speaking exclusively to CRN, Adrian Goodall, senior e-business policy advisor at the DTI, said: “We need Martin and the HCI Alliance to work together to come up with a unified scheme. If they can’t agree on one scheme, the DTI will not back either of them.
“Any new scheme needs to be easy for businesses to understand. It must cover hard-to-reach groups, such as the elderly, disabled and unemployed. It should also include an industry code of conduct to stop abuse.”
Prescott has proposed the Home Training Initiative (HTI) scheme as an alternative. It was originally set up as a limited company; however if it is picked by the DTI, Prescott will reform the HTI as a not-for-profit organisation.
“I’ve come up with a scheme that includes all the good points from the HCI,” Prescott said. “It deals with the bad elements and looks out for the charitable sectors. The HCI Alliance wants a different scheme adopted that will suit it. But I’m quietly positive that the HTI ticks all the boxes.
“The Alliance has a slightly different take on it because Intel, Microsoft and BT made a lot of money out of the HCI. It’s very clear why they want to be at heart of it, because they want to generate that income.”
The HCI Alliance was unavailable for comment.
>> Further reading:
DTI joins debate to find alternative scheme
HCI Alliance demands unity over next scheme
Reseller initiatives set to rise from HCI ashes
Second victim falls prey to axed HCI programme
HCI alternative springs to life
HCI claims first victim as RedPC enters into voluntary liquidation
Channel hopeful on HCI reversal
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