Our latest report with Vodafone UK demonstrates how the digital divide is a socio-economic issue and if not resolved, could impact the future life chances of many.

No One Left Behind: The UK’s Digital Divide in 2021 examines how the groups who are affected by the digital divide are no longer confined to older people or those living in areas with poor internet connections, but instead impacts those who are financially and socially disadvantaged.

The research shows that:

• Nearly 1 in 4 people (23%) from the lowest household incomes said they are not confident using a search engine to access government services or apply for a new passport, compared with just 5% in the richest households.

• Two-thirds of people seeking employment at the time of the research (63%) said that they would benefit from digital skills training, compared to 36% of the general population.

• Almost a third of respondents (28%) described their current level of digital skills as basic.

• Almost a third (29%) of respondents have had to share a device during the past year – meaning that families with children in different year groups had to decide which online lessons their children should attend, or choose between their own work and their child’s education.

The report calls for the Government to conduct targeted research to identify who is being adversely impacted by the digital divide and create a new cross-department taskforce to tackle the issue.

Read the full report here