Background

As public services, employment opportunities and everyday interactions continue to move online, digital access is no longer optional – it is essential. Yet millions of people across the UK remain digitally excluded, lacking either the devices, connectivity or skills needed to participate fully in modern life.

In response, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) launched the Digital Inclusion Action Plan in 2025. The ambition was to bring together government, industry and the voluntary sector to deliver practical, scalable interventions that could close the digital divide and ensure no one is left behind.

Challenge

For many, digital exclusion is not simply about access to a device, but a combination of affordability, confidence and relevance. Older people, low-income households, jobseekers and vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected, often facing multiple barriers at once.

At the same time, public services are increasingly designed as “digital first”, creating a risk that those without access or skills are further marginalised. The challenge for government was therefore twofold: to address immediate access needs while also building long-term digital capability and confidence across diverse communities.

Solution

The Digital Inclusion Action Plan was designed as a coordinated, partnership-led response, combining national direction with local delivery.

Alongside efforts to distribute devices and improve access to affordable internet, the plan invests in community-based support to build confidence and skills in ways that are meaningful to individuals.

Through the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, local authorities and community organisations can deliver tailored interventions, reflecting the specific needs of their communities. These range from digital skills training and employability support to targeted programmes for vulnerable groups.