The Communications and Digital Committee is launching an inquiry
into digital exclusion and the cost of living. The Committee
invites written contributions by Tuesday 7 March.
The digital divide is the gap between those who have adequate
access to digital technology, such as the internet and computers,
and those who do not. People without adequate access to digital
technology are often referred to as being “digitally excluded”.
The Covid-19 pandemic prompted many services and activities to
move online, raising concerns about deepening digital exclusion.
Cost of living pressures may be pushing more people into digital
exclusion. Lloyds’ Consumer Digital Index for example found that
by May 2022 an estimated 35 per cent of the population reported
that the rising cost of living was impacting their ability to go
online.
Digital exclusion may in turn exacerbate cost of living
pressures, as items bought online can be cheaper than in shops.
In an increasingly online world, digital exclusion inhibits
people’s ability to apply for jobs, access training opportunities
and engage with many public services.
Recent reports suggest that tackling digital exclusion could have
significant benefits for economic growth and individual
wellbeing.
Chair's Comment
Commenting on the launch, , Chair of the
Committee, says:
“The ability and resources to operate effectively online are
increasingly vital for everyone. Many aspects of life now operate
exclusively online.
“Tackling the digital divide will be vital for delivering growth
and economic prosperity. It is clear that for many people there
are significant barriers to operating effectively online. These
barriers can include a lack of confidence, a lack of digital
skills, poor access to appropriate broadband, and poverty
preventing access to equipment or the internet. The last of these
is likely to be made worse by the current cost of living
pressures.
“Our inquiry will look at how the rising cost of living will
affect digital exclusion and crucially will seek to identify
solutions and how the issue can be tackled.”
Inquiry questions
- What are the main causes of digital exclusion in the UK? What
is the economic and social impact?
- How has the rising cost of living affected digital
exclusion?
a)To what extent does digital exclusion exacerbate cost of
living pressures?
b)What are the long-term implications of this relationship?
- What are the obstacles to greater digital inclusion? Where is
policy intervention likely to have the greatest impact over the
next 12 months and 5 years?
a)To what extent would these changes help unlock economic
growth?
- How effective are Government initiatives at addressing
digital exclusion? What further action is needed, and what should
be done to provide offline access to services?
- How well are existing industry initiatives (for example
cheaper internet tariffs) addressing digital exclusion? How could
they be enhanced?
- How effective is civil society at supporting digital
inclusion? How could this work be enhanced, and what is the
appropriate balance between civil society and Government
intervention?
- What lessons can the UK learn from abroad?
Timeline
The Committee invites written contributions to its inquiry by
Tuesday 7 March 2023.