'Government incompetence cannot be allowed to hold back young people' - Emma Hardy on 'digital poverty' report

Emma Hardy MP, Labour’s Shadow Universities Minister, commenting on the Office for Students’ ‘digital poverty’ report, said:

“It is unacceptable that any student’s education should suffer due to digital poverty. Government incompetence simply cannot be allowed to hold back young people’s futures.

“Having failed to address digital poverty for pupils when schools closed, the government must learn from these mistakes and ensure that no university student is unable to access the education they deserve.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

According to the survey, 52% of students report that their learning was impacted by slow or unreliable internet connection, and 8% reported being 'severely' affected.

The survey also finds that 71% do not have access to a quiet study space, and 18% have no adequate access to a computer, laptop or tablet.

The review will consider how digital technology has been used to deliver remote education during the pandemic, and the opportunities that digital education presents for universities in medium and long term.