Action 15: Why digital inclusion matters
Published 24 March 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/background-on-action-15-why-digital-inclusion-matters/action-15-why-digital-inclusion-matters
Digital inclusion in a nutshell
The government is announcing a new action on digital inclusion as part of the one year on refresh of the Government Digital Strategy. Anna-Maren Ashford, Deputy Director for Partnerships and Digital Inclusion and Michael Windmill, Head of Policy for Digital Inclusion, discuss why the new action has been introduced.
Anna-Maren says, referring to the government’s Digital Landscape Research:
18% of adults in the UK are offline. Digital inclusion is about helping those people get online and take advantage of all of the benefits of digital.
The new action is a positive step forward for digital inclusion. Michael says:
The Government Digital Strategy is made up of 14 actions just now, and we’re adding a 15th action to show our commitment to digital inclusion.
Anna-Maren adds:
It’s about collaborating with partners across public sector, voluntary sector, and private sector to help people go online.
Why digital inclusion matters
As more services move online, including the government’s 25 exemplar services, the need to help more people realise the benefits of digital is growing.
Anna-Maren explains:
Digital inclusion matters a great deal for individuals, for small businesses, for small charities. There are a variety of advantages of being online, ranging from an individual searching for a job, getting a job, a small business able to sell their products online, a small charity being able to raise donations and seek donations online.
Michael adds:
There are broader benefits as well in tackling social issues, in terms of isolation, in terms of health and well-being and actually it supports economic growth.
Making sure people who are offline understand the benefits in their day-to-day lives is the first step in helping people go online.
Get involved with digital inclusion
The new action on digital inclusion is just the first step in tackling the challenge of digital exclusion. Michael states:
Digital inclusion is a problem that government can’t solve alone, so we’re working with partners from across the public, private, and voluntary sector to develop a strategy and a series of actions.
Anna-Maren calls for everyone to get involved in helping build the strategy and tackle digital exclusion:
We will be publishing a set of principles, digital inclusion principles, early in 2014, which we want to consult very widely on and hear comments, thoughts and suggestions.
The digital inclusion principles will be published on GOV.UK early in 2014 and events will be taking place across the country throughout January.