Attached to this article is a copy of Good Things Foundation’s new report which has been launched today, with solutions on how to fix the digital divide for millions of people and how to fire up the post-COVID economy, level up opportunity and lead to a fairer economy, stronger society and better lives.
Today, we heard that the following motion, led by Esther McVey MP and Julie Eliot MP has been granted by the Backbench Business Committee to be debated in Parliament. Digital exclusion is rightly moving up the agenda.
"That this House recognises that 9 million people have been locked out of the digital economy and can’t use the internet independently and that COVID-19 has made digital inclusion more important than ever before; supports the government’s ambition to deliver world-class gigabit-capable broadband in every home and business across the UK by 2025; recognises that any investment in superfast broadband without addressing the digital divide will damage social mobility; recognises that digital exclusion has the biggest impact on lower-income households, increases the cost of living and widens health inequalities; believes immediate action is needed to level up and fix the digital divide; calls on the government to invest in a digital catch up scheme as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review to fire up the post-COVID economy, level up opportunity and lead to a fairer economy, stronger society and better lives."
Digital exclusion has a hugely negative impact on those most vulnerable in our society and particularly affects the elderly. I'm keeping a close eye on this campaign and hope the Government's intervention can help those who are being left behind in an increasingly digital world.
