Approximately 1.7 million households, which makes up 6% of houses in the UK, lack home internet access according to research from Ofcom. A further one in five adults in the UK (10m) lack foundational essential digital skills. 

The lack of home internet access or digital skills can hamper an individual’s ability to access vital services, manage their healthcare, acquire new skills, and seek employment according to the DPA. 

Paul Finnis, CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance said: “This flagship strategy set out by the DPA is designed to have a tangible impact on those most impacted by a lack of essential access to the digital world and the alliance is committed to delivering this support alongside our partners and fellow community.”

The National Delivery Plan (NDP) outlines six core missions to eliminate digital poverty, emphasising the need for collaboration among government, industry, and local communities:

1. Increase awareness across society about the need for sustainable and strategic action to end digital poverty.
2. Ensure affordable connectivity and guarantee full digital access for those in need on a sustainable basis.
3. Improve standards of accessibility, safety, and inclusiveness across all digital products and services.
4. By 2030, significantly reduce the proportion of individuals without essential digital skills and ensure the sustainability and expansion of these skills in response to changing technologies and needs.
5. Enhance knowledge and understanding of digital poverty among all stakeholders, including citizens, governments, and the public and private sectors, through the development and utilisation of research.
6. Increase local capacity to provide joined-up digital inclusion support to individuals and communities.

Central to the NDP, the DPA is calling for everyone at risk of digital exclusion to have access to free devices, connectivity, and support. Other key actions include calling on the UK government to create a new digital inclusion strategy for public, private, and third sectors to raise awareness and urge action. 

Recommended

• Cost-of-Living-Crisis Cuts Broadband for 1 Million Brits
• Talent Shortage: Data Leaders Say Attraction is their Biggest Challenge
• South Lanarkshire Council Publishes Staff Salaries in Data Leak

The NDP comes during a time where 1m people in the UK cut their broadband service in the last year to cope with the cost-of-living crisis. In response to this, the plan advocates for action on social tariffs to help more households access money-saving deals. Such as a new settlement for a co-funded, industry-wide social tariff.  

Finally, the plan also will look to lower the VAT rate charged on broadband from up to 20% to 5%. This change would reflect the status of the internet as an essential utility, according to the DPA.

“Together, we can work towards ending digital poverty and ensuring that everyone has the skills, resources, and access they need to thrive in the digital age,” said Finnis.