Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps
(Limited Text - Ministerial Extracts only)
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The Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms (Chris Bryant)
Today, the Government have laid before Parliament the “Digital Inclusion Action Plan—First Steps”, which includes a call for evidence on the Government’s proposed focus areas.
It is estimated that 1.6 million people in the UK live largely offline, and we know that they are likely to experience lower pay, have fewer job opportunities, have worse health outcomes, and might pay more for goods and services. We know that there are many benefits to being online, whether it is connecting with family and friends, being able to manage your finances, or being able to apply for a new job that is advertised online.
We want to ensure that everyone can experience these benefits, no matter where you are in the country, and no matter your age, background, or current circumstances, because we believe that everyone should benefit from digital technology. The action plan sets out the first five actions and the leadership actions that Government will take to ensure we have a digitally inclusive society.
The Government have consulted with and listened to stakeholders, who told us locally delivered support has the biggest impact, so in the spring we will be launching a new digital inclusion innovation fund to support innovative local initiatives—because we know digital inclusion initiatives work best when they are embedded in the communities people live and work in. Where local initiatives work well, we will look to roll them out in other parts of the country.
Everyone needs to have access to the necessary training and support to develop the essential digital skills to live, work, and participate fully in the modern world. That is why we have committed to improving support for the framework that helps people and businesses get the skills they need to get online safely and with confidence. We will also measure what works on digital inclusion, identify where the need is greatest, and establish the economic and social value of upskilling adults with digital skills.
Having access to a suitable device to be able to complete key tasks such as applying for a job, completing homework, or managing your finances online is vital to participating in our increasingly digital society. The 37% of households who are offline say that lack of equipment is a barrier. To help address this, we are piloting a proof-of-concept multi-Department device donation scheme. We are working with the Digital Poverty Alliance to provide refurbished Government laptops to those who need them.
We want to break down barriers to digital services. This is why we have committed to making Government digital services easier to use. We will have a renewed focus on digital inclusion, for example by improving the whole experience for users and increasing the number of services that use www.gov.uk One Login.
The action plan is supported by 10 pledges from industry, working in parallel with and in support of this action plan. These pledges demonstrate the significance of partnership to promote and empower digital inclusion, and the shared responsibility to tackle this important issue.
The call for evidence seeks views on the focus areas identified for further work. These are opening up opportunities through skills, tackling data and device poverty, breaking down barriers to digital services, and building confidence and supporting local delivery. The call for evidence will close on 9 April 2025. The “Digital Inclusion Action Plan—First Steps” document will be made available on www.gov.uk.
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