The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has set out plans for a major boost to digital inclusion efforts around the country.
It includes funding for local initiatives targeted to the most digitally excluded groups, including the elderly and low income households, and partnering with inclusion charity the Digital Poverty Alliance to provide laptops to people who are digitally excluded.
DSIT has published a Digital Inclusion Action Plan under which charities, local and combined authorities will have access to funding for relevant programmes, aimed at boosting communities’ digital access, skills and confidence in the online world.
The funding will empower mayors and other local leaders to develop local solutions for the most digitally excluded groups in their areas, recognising the challenges they face will be different across the country.
Industry contributions
The plan also includes pledges by key technology companies to support the Government in its efforts to break down the digital divide.
Among the industry pledges are that: Google will develop a new partnership with DSIT to deliver intensive digital skills training to support adults with low digital skills; CityFibre has committed to installing 170 connections to 170 premises in Norfolk, Suffolk, Leicestershire, Kent, East and West Sussex, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas by 2030, with a six-month broadband package for free; Vodafone will donate connectivity and technology, affordable services, and help to upskill communities; and BT will provide digital training to thousands of older people and children.
In addition, the plan identifies four focus areas for further work: opening up opportunities through skills; tackling data and device poverty; breaking down barriers to digital services; and building confidence and supporting local delivery.
DSIT has opened a call for evidence, open until 9 April, on reactions to the plan.
Transforming lives
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “The technological revolution we are living in is not only transforming everyone’s lives, but is advancing at breakneck speed, and will not slow down any time soon.
“Leaving people behind in the process could threaten our mission to maximise technology for economic growth and better public services, which is central to our Plan for Change.
“Only by making technology a widely accessible force for good can we make it a positive catalyst for societal change – whether that means helping a sick patient speak to a GP remotely or giving a young person the devices they need to apply for online jobs or renting a flat.”
People living offline
The effort to increase digital inclusion is widely seen as an imperative in modernising public services with digital technology. But the Government’s figures show that 1.6 million people in the UK are currently living offline, meaning they lack the devices, connection or skills to get online, and around a quarter of the UK population struggle to use online services.
DSIT said that widespread access to technology will boost economic growth and raise living standards.
LGA response
The announcement brought a generally approving response from the Local Government Association. Cllr Abi Brown, chair of its improvement and innovation board, said: “Councils are critical to tackling digital inclusion, providing strategic leadership of local support, and running council-led initiatives, such as digital skills improvement support and refurbishing old equipment to donate or lend to residents who rely on devices."
Brown added: Digital skills, equipment and reliable connectivity, as well as the confidence to be online, are crucial to enable people to fully participate in society and engage in education and employment.
“Given their role as local leaders, councils want to go much further, building on their work with local voluntary and community sector organisations to reach socially excluded groups.
“The Digital Inclusion Action Plan recognises that local authorities are key to the delivery of digital inclusion ambitions, and we look forward to helping government empower all areas to support all those who are underserved by the move to a modern digital society.”
Redistribution scheme impact
Elizabeth Anderson, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance, commented: "Our work together on this pilot programme will provide real help right now and demonstrate the huge impact that device redistribution schemes have on families and households.
“Donating unwanted or unused devices for redistribution can have a transformative impact on the lives of families and people across the country, enabling access to essential services such as online healthcare, education and banking that many of us take for granted. Adding digital skills to that, starting from education institutions through to businesses, equips millions with the knowledge and confidence to not only survive, but thrive in today’s digital world.
“As part of this rollout, we’d like to see a particular emphasis on the regions that will benefit the most, from the tip of rural Scotland to the width of Northern Ireland and everywhere in between."
