Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what steps he is taking to support vulnerable people to use the internet during periods of self-isolation as a result of covid-19.

The Government understands that those who are most vulnerable may also lack basic digital skills and will face particular challenges related to the medical advice to self-isolate. We are currently working at pace, in partnership with the tech sector and civil society organisations, to develop solutions to these challenges and to provide support to vulnerable people and those self-isolating.

Government is also addressing the challenges of disinformation and misinformation particularly around COVID-19. We have brought together existing cross-government monitoring and analysis capabilities to provide the most comprehensive picture possible about the extent, scope and impact of disinformation and misinformation linked to COVID-19. We are also working with strategic communications experts to ensure that we are prepared to respond to disinformation campaigns where necessary. As part of this work, we are regularly engaging with social media platforms.

The Government, together with Ofcom and industry, is giving urgent consideration to wider telecoms-related issues that vulnerable consumers might face as a result of COVID-19.