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Digital Inclusion Action Committee summary minutes: 26 June 2025

Published 1 May 2026

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Plenary summary minutes

Meeting attendees:

  • Rt. Hon. Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top, Chair
  • Jess Flack, Essex County Council
  • Caroline Abrahams CBE, Age UK
  • Natalie Ceeney CBE, Cash Access UK
  • Simeon Yates, University of Liverpool
  • Jocelle Lovell, Cwmpas Cooperative
  • Jason Tutin, 100% Digital Leeds
  • Patrick Melia OBE, Sunderland City Council
  • Antony Walker, techUK
  • Helen Milner OBE, Good Things Foundation
  • Helen Burrows, BBC

Officials:

  • Rebecca Stephens, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT)
  • Relevant Secretariat Officials

Summary

The Digital Inclusion Action Committee (DIAC) discussed the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan and plans to support departments in improving the accessibility and usability of digital public services. Chaired by Baroness Armstrong, the meeting brought together newly appointed experts from local government, industry, civil society and academia.

Members emphasised the need for government and industry to design services that work for everyone, particularly those facing the greatest barriers to digital access. The Committee discussed challenges created by complex digital systems and highlighted the importance of inclusive design, better data, and clear accountability across sectors.

To strengthen the evidence base, DIAC commissioned new segmentation analysis to better identify groups most at risk of digital exclusion. The Committee also agreed that subcommittees should develop minimum delivery standards and highlight best practice to support consistent, effective local provision.

Cross‑government collaboration was recognised as essential to delivering change at scale. Members called for improved visibility of departmental activity, stronger strategic engagement with industry, and enhanced coordination between central and local delivery partners.

Officials from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) also provided an update on delivery of the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps.

Actions agreed included updating the Committee’s Terms of Reference, linking members with DSIT analysts and officials from the Government Digital Service (GDS), sharing consultation findings once available, and clarifying the policy on proxy attendance.

The Chair concluded by stressing the importance of maintaining momentum, embedding a whole‑system approach, and ensuring that DIAC’s work delivers measurable progress in closing the digital divide.

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