This report on the activities of the recently established Digital Inclusion Panel, this report provides an overview of the current state of digital engagement in the United Kingdom. The report specifically examines:
- demand for digital engagement
- supply of digital connectivity
- the government’s challenge for digital engagement, including a description of knowledge gaps which need to be filled to understand how connect currently un-digitally engaged individuals
The authors conclude that while digital engagement has increased markedly in the UK in the last several years, several population groups remain at risk for digital exclusion, including:
- unemployed people
- people with literacy issues
- older people not using or benefiting from new technologies
Other key recommendations include:
- improved government support for commercial and social enterprise, delivery of e-government services, and development of strategic lifelong learning opportunities by providing key stakeholders with ongoing demand and supply market intelligence based on the Digital Engagement Framework
- the establishment of an industry-led body focusing on encouraging digital take-up through social enterprise, supported with corporate social responsibility initiatives
- increased government encouragement of Intellect, the trade body, to convene a new cross-industry, fully representative group that focuses on the implications for digital engagement in the UK of the convergence of broadcasting, telecommunications, broadband and the internet
[adapted from author]