£9.5 million fund launched to tackle digital divide

Charities and local authorities are to be supported in efforts to address digital inequality through the launch of a £9.5 million government Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.

With 7.9 million UK adults lacking basic digital skills, and 1.6 million living completely offline, the fund aims to support more people to get online and avoid being locked out of basic opportunities, such as online job applications processes and cheaper purchases (Research suggests digitally excluded consumers pay up to 25% more on average than online counterparts.).

In England, local government, charities and research organisations can apply for funding worth £25,000 to £500,000 to help boost digital inclusion and skills in their local areas. Funding follows the launch of a new IT Reuse for Good charter in June to support businesses to donate unwanted devices to support digital inclusion.

UK Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said:  

“It is unacceptable that in 2025, millions of people across the UK simply can’t access the vast opportunities that technology and the online world offers. Digital inclusion is an essential for modern life and work, not just something that’s nice to have, and it forms a critical part of our Plan for Change. 

“Making technology widely accessible could be the thing that means a sick patient can speak to a GP remotely, or that helps a young person successfully apply for a job. Through this funding we’re moving further to empower local leaders and groups nationwide, who are already working tirelessly to get their communities connected and change countless lives for the better.“

Launching the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund delivers on a key commitment set out in the Digital Inclusion Action Plan published earlier this year, which set out this Government’s first actions to tackle digital exclusion so that technology can be harnessed by everyone in the UK, boost growth and raise living standards.