Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Digital Inclusivity

Thursday 20 May 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rachel Hopkins asked about steps to increase digital inclusivity, highlighting that 22% of people over 16 in Luton had not used the internet for three months.
  • The Minister responded that adults can undertake free digital qualifications and broadband providers are encouraged to roll out low-cost-broadband social tariffs.
  • Chi Onwurah inquired why the Minister would not specify what proportion of the population the Government is willing to leave behind in the digital age.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Science & Technology
Context

Recent Office for National Statistics data showed that in Q1 of 2020, 22% of people over 16 in Luton had not used the internet for three months, more than double the national average. This disadvantaged many during the pandemic when work, school and social lives moved online.

Question

What steps are being taken to increase digital inclusivity? Recently published Office for National Statistics data showed that 22% of people over 16 in Luton had not used the internet for three months. Many constituents were disadvantaged during the pandemic as work, school and social lives moved online. Will the affordability of broadband and online services be adequate to support those who had to choose between data and dinner?

Answer from Caroline Dinenage

Adults can undertake free digital qualifications up to level 1, and broadband providers are encouraged to roll out low-cost-broadband social tariffs. Social tariffs already offer low-cost landline and broadband services for those on certain means-tested benefits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific information about affordability of access to broadband and online services was not provided.

How: The Hon. Lady Is Absolutely Right To Highlight The Fact That The Pandemic Has Demonstrated How Digital Inclusion And Accessibility Have Been Fundamental

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Economy Science & Technology
Context

Recently published Office for National Statistics data showed that in Q1 of 2020, 22% of people over 16 in Luton had not used the internet for three months. This disadvantaged many during the pandemic when work, school and social lives moved online.

Question

Will the affordability of broadband and online services be adequate to support my constituents who were severely disadvantaged at the start of the pandemic?

Answer from Caroline Dinenage

The Government are encouraging all fixed-broadband providers to introduce a social tariff, which offers low-cost landline and broadband services for those on certain means-tested benefits.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific information about affordability of access to broadband and online services was not provided.

How: The Hon. Lady Is Absolutely Right To Highlight The Fact That The Pandemic Has Demonstrated How Digital Inclusion And Accessibility Have Been Fundamental

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Science & Technology
Context

60% of over-50s with household earnings under £20,000 per year are not online; more than half of adults who are not online are disabled; 2 million households in the UK were without internet access during lockdown; and there are up to 900,000 children without devices. The Government's digital inclusion strategy was last updated in 2014 and no target for inclusion has been set.

Question

Why will the Minister not tell us what proportion of the population she is happy to leave behind in this digital age?

Answer from Caroline Dinenage

The Government agreed a set of commitments with broadband and mobile operators to support vulnerable customers during the pandemic. 1.3 million extra laptops were rolled out to young people, on top of the 2.9 million already in schools. In February, a £2.5 million digital lifeline fund was launched to support 5,000 people with learning disabilities.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Proportion of population left behind was not addressed.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)