What new policy would you propose to combat the widening digital divide?

Zahirah Hafiz
Content & Comms Manager, vocL

The digital divide has widened since the pandemic, leaving many low-income communities without access to necessary technology for education and job opportunities.

If you were to propose a new policy to help combat this challenge, what would it be? 

VocL Voices’ Responses

Charlotte Hill
Operations Director, Gripple

The government could introduce a ‘Learning Levy’ requiring businesses to contribute a small percentage of profits towards funding equipment and digital skills training in their local communities. This levy would help provide equal opportunities for individuals to access technology, online learning platforms, and skill-building programs, ultimately improving access to work experience, apprenticeships, further education and addressing skills shortages in the UK. By investing in local education, businesses would help create a more skilled and inclusive workforce for the future.

Andrew Gall
Head of Savings & Economics, Building Societies Association

Digital can be great, but it does risk leaving some people behind. There is no single easy fix to digital exclusion, which has a huge impact on many people and their families. Money, skills and confidence are needed to access the digital services which are increasingly how we are expected to live.

I don’t know if we need Government policy here, or instead need Government to lead and to bring together organisations that are making a difference in some of these areas, to set the example and encourage engagement from all parts of society.

Fhaheen Khan
Senior Economist, Make UK

Technology gives opportunities for diverse minds to cultivate new ideas, think of how City mapper came to be thanks to public transport data. Low-income communities with limited access to technology may fall behind on productivity for various reasons, such as high costs or poor internet connectivity. Though the government is planning to introduce free full-fibre broadband to all homes by 2030, ideally, this policy intention should be actioned and accelerated to create a more equitable society.