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Ethnic Groups and Migrants: Digital Technology

Answer

The voluntary and community sector plays a vital role in supporting people across the country in their everyday lives.

We recognise that digital skills and access are increasingly required to participate fully in society, and that digital exclusion makes it more difficult for people to use essential services.

To support access, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport continues to encourage operators to offer social tariffs, which provide low-cost mobile and broadband services for people on Universal Credit as well as other means-tested benefits. We continue to work closely with Ofcom, consumer groups, and the sector to raise awareness of these low-cost offers. For those unable to own a device with internet access, public libraries play an important role in providing access to the internet, with trained staff and volunteers to support users. The Department for Education’s Digital Entitlement allows for adults with no or low digital skills (below level 1) to study for Essential Digital Skills Qualifications (EDSQs) for free.

The size of the challenge, however, means that we cannot tackle the digital divide on our own. The involvement of the voluntary and community sector is crucial, and support can be most effective where providers are able to tailor their support to local needs.

DCMS will continue to engage with the sector and across Government on this topic.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

HL3264

Session

2022-23

Subjects

Digital technology Migrants Ethnic groups Training Civil society

Link

View this Written question on www.parliament.uk