Greater Manchester leads on digital inclusion

Manchester has been named the UK’s leading city for digital inclusion, according to analysis by Uswitch, highlighting the rollout of a number of schemes to help people get online across Greater Manchester.

Uswitch compared number of National Databanks,  Digital Inclusion Hubs, and Digital skill workshops on offer in cities across the UK against measures of unemployment and other indicators of poverty and inequality to determine where digital inclusion and exclusion is most prevalent. 

Averaging 11.2 digital inclusion hubs per 100,000 people, Manchester ranked as the most digitally inclusive location in the UK, followed by Coventry. London, despite having the most databanks nationally, failed to rank in the top 20 as its digital inclusion activities were spread across a population of 8.7 million.

Uswitch’s mobile expert, Rehan Ali commented:

“Manchester has emerged as the most digitally inclusive location in the UK. The city has identified the demand for digitally inclusive services for its residents that cannot afford mobile data to access digital services or for those who need support with accessing them, due to lack of online skills. “

“Our data shows that while Manchester is considerably smaller than the country’s capital, London has considerably less digital inclusion hubs and databanks per 100,000 people. This shows the vast support and improvement needed for individuals and families around the country to carry out essential tasks that require an internet connection.

“This research highlights the urgent need to address digital poverty and ensure that mobile data is readily available for everyone to access basic government, council and financial systems –  regardless of their social class, unemployment status and personal arrangements.”