Low digital confidence and skills are affecting job opportunities for UK adults, according to the latest research from the Good Things Foundation, the digital inclusion charity.

The charity’s new poll, shared in anticipation of Get Online Week, shows that many people feel unequipped to manage money, find jobs and stay safe online, with the gap most severe among the one in twenty people lacking home broadband access.

The survey found that 10% of people feel uncomfortable using the internet for banking or managing their finances, with this figure rising to 18% for those without broadband access. Despite this, 82% acknowledged that online banking saves time, but admitted that their limited skills and confidence lead to missed opportunities.

Finding employment is also made a lot more difficult by a lack of digital skills. The data shows that more than a quarter (26%) of people don’t feel confident using the internet to compete in the job market, despite 59% saying they’d start their job search online.

Few people feel confident about advancing their careers online. Only 22% feel confident about making progress in their careers with online tools, even though 84% believe that strong digital skills are essential for work environments. This confidence gap is notably worse for those without broadband access, with 28% not feeling confident to advance their careers.

The data shows a concerning number of adults are also unsure how to protect themselves online, with 15% not confident about how to stay safe, and 61% concerned about the security of their personal details when going online.

These vulnerabilities are putting more people at risk, as evidenced by the 31% of people who reported that they frequently encounter scams.

“These findings underscore the urgent need to fix the digital divide in the UK,” said Good Things Foundation CEO Helen Milner.

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues, digital skills are more than just convenient – they are the foundation for full participation in society.”

Despite the charity’s efforts, the digital divide seems to be growing wider. Recent data from Citizens Advice Scotland showed that more than half of Scots are unable to use essential digital services due to a lack of skills and online access, while other studies have found that almost a quarter of UK adults now classify themselves as digitally excluded.

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The new Labour government has been urged to tackle the problem, with the Digital Poverty Alliance, a charity with the mission of eradicating digital poverty, calling for digital access to become a human right and develop a clear digital inclusion strategy.

In fairness, the government has made moves in this area since the election, having announced a plan to provide over 300,000 rural homes and businesses access to faster gigabit-capable broadband, with up to £800 million in funding.