FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MONDAY 2 JUNE 

The Digital Communities APPG welcomes the launch of the national telecare campaign, which comes at a critical time as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) becomes ever more unreliable and is set to be shut down by 2027.

The PSTN migration – otherwise known as the digital switchover – is a major digital transformation project which has the potential to affect millions of people, particularly residents that depend on telecare devices. 

A national campaign such as this has long been called for to improve awareness of the digital switchover and provide reassurance that life-saving services will continue to function. 

Chair of the APPG, and Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson, Helen Morgan MP (North Shropshire), said:  

“I am pleased to see the launch of the national telecare campaign today – something we have long been calling for. 

“The APPG is pleased to see that many of the concerns raised in the APPG’s first report, Care to Connect, have been addressed in the lead up to the launch of this campaign. 

“Everyone must now get behind this campaign – the telecommunications sector, local government, the telecare sector, and the voluntary and community sector – and amplify the message to call the landline provider for support if you or someone you know uses a telecare alarm.

“This campaign will play an integral role in ensuring the public, particularly telecare users, fully understand the implications of the PSTN migration and act if they think they may be affected. 

“It is important to acknowledge BT and VMO2’s role in initiating and funding this campaign despite being competitors. I equally support the UK Government’s decision to work collaboratively with industry and to lend its branding as an additional level of assurance and confidence.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

The national telecare campaign will run from 2 June to 31 August 2025. It is funded by BT and VMO2. The campaign is co-branded between BT, VMO2 and the UK Government. The LGA and the TEC Services Association (TSA) undertook a consultative role throughout the campaign’s development.

Assets for the campaign will be made available online via two sites: Digital Phone Switchover and the LGA.

The Digital Communities APPG report, Care to Connect, was published in March 2025.

About the APPG 

The Digital Communities APPG is a cross-party group of parliamentarians, with the aim to promote the delivery of digitally equipped places that support and foster a connected, healthy, and productive community. This includes the creation and maintenance of sustainable digital infrastructure, as well as providing residents with equal opportunity to thrive in a digital world. The Local Government Association (LGA) provides the secretariat to the APPG.  

About the LGA 

The LGA is the national voice of local government. We are a politically led, cross party membership organisation, representing councils from England and Wales. Our role is to support, promote and improve local government, and raise national awareness of the work of councils.