Income Inequality

Debate between Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Wednesday 31st January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

I welcome the development of food banks; I believe that they have provided a very useful service to the community. They are widely supported on all sides of the House, I would have thought. I do not know what our attitude will be to the legislation that has been suggested but, none the less, the truth of the matter is that good eating is often in the control of the people who buy the food; too many people eat convenience food. Indeed, there was an article only the other day about the number of people who have obesity problems because they are not eating the right sort of food.

[Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho (CB)]

My Lords, there are 6 million adults in the lowest socioeconomic groups without access to the internet or the skills to use it. Yet we know that, on average, the lowest-income households can save over £170 a year by being connected. I am so happy to hear the Minister mention jobs because we also know that 90% of new jobs are now advertised only online. What specific actions are the Government taking to help the most vulnerable communities get access to the internet?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

Perhaps it would help the noble Baroness to know that we had record tech investment in the UK last year.