New research from The Institute of Development Studies and Citizens Online finds that 1 in 5 households of incomes under £25,000 per year, do not have access to the internet. This figure rises to almost a third of disabled people in the same income bracket, and nearly half of people aged over 65. Almost 1 in 10 (9%) of households reduce spending on food or clothes to afford phone or home internet and almost 1 in 5 (17%) run out of data before the end of the month.
Today, we’re only at the beginning of an unprecedented cost of living crisis, with a recession forecast. Now more than ever, being excluded from the digital world will exacerbate existing inequalities in society and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable. The people who are more likely to be digitally excluded are; older, disabled, living on low income and / or have low educational attainment. The same groups that will acutely feel the crippling severity of rising bills and food prices. We are calling on Government and Industry to do more to support those in need.
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