In spite of some parts of the country enjoying fibre connectivity, Elizabeth Anderson, CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance warns of a digital divide, and how to address it
In the United Kingdom, where smartphones outnumber the population and online shopping contributes over £120 billion annually to the economy, it is staggering to consider that millions remain excluded from the benefits of a connected society.
Beneath the headlines of 5G advancements and artificial intelligence breakthroughs lies a significant challenge: approximately 1.5 million households lack Internet access, and over 8 million adults do not possess basic digital skills. This is not merely a technological gap but a profound societal divide. The digital exclusion crisis is deepening, leaving far too many people cut off from education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and even the everyday act of staying in touch with friends and family. In an era where connectivity underpins so much of modern life, how can so many still be left behind?
The human impact of digital exclusion is devastating and demands immediate attention. Imagine a teenager in a low-income household, unable to complete homework because the family cannot afford broadband. Picture a pensioner living alone in a rural village, struggling to access essential public services that are now exclusively online. Envision a jobseeker in an urban housing estate, locked out of a job market that increasingly demands digital applications and online profiles.
These stories are not exceptions or anomalies; they reflect the lived experiences of millions across the United Kingdom. This is not simply a matter of inconvenience – digital exclusion compounds inequalities, limiting opportunities for education, employment, and social mobility. It creates a cycle of disadvantage that becomes harder to escape with each passing day.
This divide is not solely about Internet access. It encompasses affordability, infrastructure, and skills. For some, broadband or a reliable smartphone is a luxury they cannot afford. Recent figures indicate that nearly 10% of households struggle to meet the costs of mobile services, and 8% find broadband expenses prohibitive. Additionally, 16% of adults lack the essential digital skills needed to navigate an online world, from sending emails to accessing online banking. These barriers disproportionately affect the elderly, low-income households, and rural communities.
Rural Britain faces additional challenges. While urban areas enjoy high-speed fibre-optic broadband and comprehensive mobile coverage, rural regions endure ‘not-spots’ where Internet and mobile signals are unreliable or non-existent. Recent government data reveals that only 47% of households in some rural areas have 4G coverage from all major providers, compared to near-universal coverage in cities. These gaps are not just inconveniences – they exacerbate regional inequalities, cutting off communities from economic opportunities and essential services.
Local councils play a pivotal role in addressing digital exclusion, with Manchester City Council standing out as a leading example. Through its comprehensive Digital Inclusion Action Plan, the council has directly supported over 6,000 residents by providing laptops, facilitating access to affordable broadband, and delivering targeted digital skills training under its ‘Let’s Get Digital’ campaign.
Recognising financial barriers to connectivity, Manchester has also turned its libraries into databank centres, distributing donated SIM cards to residents struggling with mobile data costs. This proactive, community-focused approach demonstrates how local authorities can make a tangible impact in bridging the digital divide and empowering their communities.
Addressing this digital divide also requires a coordinated national effort. The government has made strides with initiatives like the Shared Rural Network, a £1 billion partnership with telecom providers to extend mobile coverage to 95% of the UK landmass by 2025. This investment is expected to bring reliable connectivity to tens of thousands of households and businesses. However, progress remains slow, and the scale of the problem demands greater urgency. Simplifying planning laws and reducing bureaucratic hurdles could accelerate broadband rollouts and mobile network upgrades, particularly in underserved areas.
Telecommunications providers must also intensify their efforts. While many companies offer discounted broadband packages for low-income households, uptake remains low due to a lack of awareness. Providers need to actively promote these schemes and collaborate with councils, charities, and schools to reach those in need.
Additionally, telecom companies must prioritise investment in next-generation infrastructure. Despite the fanfare surrounding 5G, the UK lags behind countries like South Korea and India, where users access 5G networks up to 40% of the time, compared to just 10% in Britain. Accelerating 5G deployment, especially in rural and underserved urban areas, is essential to ensuring equitable access.
Digital exclusion is not just a technical problem – it is a societal one with far-reaching consequences. A child without Internet access cannot compete academically. A jobseeker unable to browse listings online is denied opportunities to improve their circumstances. An elderly person cut off from online healthcare services is left to navigate an increasingly digital NHS alone. These challenges compound over time, widening the gap between the connected and the disconnected.
But the solutions are within reach. Imagine a Britain where every household can afford reliable broadband, where every rural community is fully connected, and where every individual, regardless of age or income, has the skills to thrive in a digital world. This is not a pipe dream; it is an achievable goal that requires collective will and action.
Bridging the digital divide demands ambition and collaboration. The government, local councils, and telecom providers must treat digital inclusion as a national priority. By investing in infrastructure, promoting affordable services, and equipping people with the necessary skills, Britain can move closer to a future where no one is left behind.
For the millions who are still offline, the stakes are too high to wait. In a world where digital connectivity is as essential as electricity and clean water, the cost of inaction is measured not just in missed opportunities but in lives left on the margins. It is time for Britain to fulfil its promise of a truly connected society.
Elizabeth Anderson is CEO of the Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA), which aims to end digital poverty in the UK once and for all by 2030. Leading the DPA programmatic and operational team, she focuses across advocacy, community building and delivery work, talking to schools, industry partners, government leads, local authorities and other charities.
Author: Elizabeth Anderson, CEO, Digital Poverty Alliance
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