techUK gives evidence to the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee on digital exclusion and the cost of living
The Communications and Digital Committee has been looking at the impact of digital exclusion on individuals and more broadly how digital exclusion affects the economy. Digital exclusion persists in the UK points to several – often complimentary – reasons for someone being or becoming digitally excluded, including:
Capability: not having the skills to use a device and/or navigate the internet with confidence;
Cost: not being able to afford both a connection package (i.e., a fixed broadband or mobile plan) or a device such as a smartphone, laptop or tablet which can connect to the internet;
Choice: choosing not to use the internet for a variety of reasons.
Additionally, people may overcome one barrier and then face another that stops them using the internet. Getting people online will require interventions across all the barriers. The barriers to digital inclusion, while more apparent as a result of increasing digitalisation driven in part by the pandemic, are also barriers to broader societal inclusion. This challenge is faced on a global level. The United Nations includes the reduction of the digital divide as its Sustainable Development Goal 9.
techUK has provided written evidence and Antony Walker, Deputy CEO, gave oral evidence to the inquiry.
In 2014, techUK called for delivery of a ‘digital for everyone’ inclusion strategy by 2020, to ensure that all UK adults have the basic digital skills required to communicate, find goods and services and access information online. We need further collective recognition to get everyone up to the digital start line and motived to keep building their digital capability. techUK and the tech industry has considered this issue for some time with the continued digital development of our economy and society. It is right that the concerns around these changes are discussed and addressed.
