Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether her Department plans to increase funding for digital inclusion and skills.

Digital Skills

The Government recognises that digital skills are becoming ever more important in the economy. Last year, we launched the UK Digital Strategy, which set out our commitment to develop digital skills across the whole of the UK.

To grow the digital workforce in the UK, the government has introduced a range of interventions across the digital skills pipeline and at all levels. This includes ensuring there is a range of flexible courses available for people already in the workforce. As part of Skills for Life, the government launched Skills Bootcamps, which offer free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks, with a guaranteed job interview at the end. The Department for Education is increasing investment to up to £150 million this year.

To provide people with the opportunity to develop specialised AI and data skills, even for those who have no previous experience, the government has made a £30 million investment via two phases in AI and Data science conversion courses. The government is committed to ensuring the tech sector is diverse, which is why the government has funded scholarships for underrepresented groups to earn a masters degree on these courses, and has supported the Tech Talent Charter (TCC) since 2017.

Digital Inclusion

The government is committed to closing the digital divide and meeting our commitment that nobody should be left behind in the digital age. This directly supports the UK’s Digital Strategy and its “vision to enable everyone, from every industry and across the UK, to benefit from all that digital innovation can offer.”

Supporting people to engage in an increasingly digitalised world involves overcoming the barriers to access, skills, motivation and trust identified in the government’s digital inclusion strategy. A range of departments support the government’s approach to removing these barriers.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is tackling these issues by continuing to invest in digital infrastructure to broaden gigabit-capable and mobile-network coverage. To support low income households stay connected, the Government continues to work with telecoms providers to ensure market provision of low-cost broadband and mobile tariffs.

The Department for Education are providing access to essential digital skills courses through the Essential Digital Entitlement and the Adult Education budget. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport are leveraging our national network of libraries to serve as an alternative point of internet access with in-person support. Department for Work and Pensions are referring claimants to essential digital skills courses to improve their chances of securing employment and supporting eligible claimants with the provision of devices and connectivity connection. Cabinet Office is setting an example by monitoring the accessibility of all public sector websites to make sure that everyone, including people with disabilities and impairments, can access public services.