House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement
Digital Inclusion Action Plan – First Steps: An update on Government’s approach to Digital Inclusion
26 February 2025 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Proposed by Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda and Ogmore
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
At a glance
Key points
- The UK government is launching a Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund in spring 2025 to support local initiatives addressing digital inclusion.
- The call for evidence to identify focus areas for the fund closes on April 9, 2025.
- The government plans to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives and scale successful programs.
Issue summary
The statement addresses the UK government's Digital Inclusion Action Plan to tackle digital exclusion and improve access to technology for all.
Action requested
The government is launching a new Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund in spring to support local initiatives that address digital inclusion. The call for evidence on focus areas will close on April 9, 2025, and the government aims to measure the effectiveness of these initiatives and scale successful programs.
Key facts
- Approximately 1.6 million people in the UK live largely offline.
- A new Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund will launch in spring 2025.
- The call for evidence on focus areas closes on April 9, 2025.
- Local initiatives work best when embedded in communities.
- Piloting a multi-department device donation scheme to provide refurbished laptops to those in need.