Transparency data

Ministerial Group for Digital Inclusion meeting summaries: 29 April 2026

Updated 14 July 2026

Meeting attendees:

Ministers

• Baroness Lloyd of Effra CBE, Minister for Digital Economy (DSIT) - Chair
• The Rt Hon Ian Murray MP, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (DCMS) and Minister for Digital Government and Data (DSIT)
• The Rt Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability (DWP and DfE)
• Dr Zubir Ahmed MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health Innovation and Safety (DHSC)
• James Frith MP, Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office) and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (DSIT)
• The Rt Hon Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills (DfE)

Apologies

• Lucy Rigby MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury (HMT) - Represented by a HMT official

Guests

• The Rt Hon. the Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top, Chair of the Digital Inclusion Action Committee

Officials

• Elizabeth Kohorn-Hill, Deputy Director for Digital Inclusion and Women in Tech, DSIT
• Rebecca Stephens, Deputy Director for Digital Inclusion - Skills, Engagement & Evidence, DSIT
• Emily Ball, Deputy Director of Service Transformation, DSIT
• Katie Kissick, Deputy Director of Performance and Assurance, DSIT
• Hulya Mustafa, Director of Digital Policies and Programmes, DHSC
• Simeon Hanfling, Deputy Director - Insights & Engagement Digital ID Task Force, CO
• Relevant Private Secretaries and Secretariat Officials

Summary

Minister Lloyd updated the group on progress made through the publication of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: One Year On report. The Minister outlined how departments’ collective efforts can help more people get online, use digital services, and feel confident doing so.
The Chair of the Digital Inclusion Action Committee set out its work plan, and how it can support wider government to improve digital inclusion.
Ministers discussed the findings from a data analysis exercise to understand the drivers of digital exclusion, the characteristics of those who are digitally excluded, and how this overlaps with people more likely to engage in or be supported through other government priorities and public services. Ministers also saw the benefits of digital inclusion, including citizens saving time and money, improved earnings potential, and productivity and efficiencies.

Ministers discussed the broad aims and key programmes across their departments that could support improved digital inclusion outcomes. Health, employment support, education, financial services and future digital ID services were highlighted as important routes through which people could be supported to get online and use digital services safely and confidently. Ministers highlighted the benefits of digital inclusion in improving access to healthcare, supporting disabled people to use assistive technology, and ensuring that emerging opportunities such as digital ID are inclusive from the outset. Ministers agreed that digital inclusion would be built into all roll-out plans.

Accessibility was recognised as a key enabler of digital inclusion. Ministers  reaffirmed the importance of this and committed to improving their government Departments’ meeting legal accessibility standards, so that digital services work for all people, including those with disabilities.