21 August 2023
Tackling digital exclusion and the poverty premium
A new report from the Centre for Social Justice 'Left out: How to tackle digital exclusion and reduce the poverty premium' challenges the idea that it is only the elderly who experience digital exclusion, with 29% of those excluded being of working age. It is even worse when looking at those on low incomes, with up to 42% of those excluded being of working age.
They link this lack of digital access to the poverty premium - where those on low incomes pay more for basic goods and services - as limited digital access makes it harder for them to reach the best deals - paying up to 25% more for items such as insurance, phones and food.
The report calls on the government to increase efforts to reduce digital exclusion, with many of those excluded being willing to use the technology. The report supports the 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy but says momentum has been lost from the government. The CSJ put forward a series of recommendations, including supporting the National Device Bank and making consumers aware of social tariffs.
Story via EdCentral.
They link this lack of digital access to the poverty premium - where those on low incomes pay more for basic goods and services - as limited digital access makes it harder for them to reach the best deals - paying up to 25% more for items such as insurance, phones and food.
The report calls on the government to increase efforts to reduce digital exclusion, with many of those excluded being willing to use the technology. The report supports the 2014 Digital Inclusion Strategy but says momentum has been lost from the government. The CSJ put forward a series of recommendations, including supporting the National Device Bank and making consumers aware of social tariffs.
Story via EdCentral.
0 Comments