£9.5m UK Government fund to boost digital inclusion
£9.5m UK Government fund to boost digital inclusion
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Local councils and charities in Wales are being encouraged to apply for new UK Government funding aimed at helping more people get online, tackling digital inequality, and supporting economic growth.
The £9.5 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, announced today (Wednesday 13 August), will be distributed in partnership with devolved governments in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The aim is to support grassroots initiatives that help people without internet access develop essential skills and confidence to navigate the digital world.
Backed by the UK Government’s Plan for Change, the funding will target the 1.6 million people in the UK who are currently offline, as well as the 7.9 million adults lacking basic digital skills. The money will help to support schemes such as free workshops, device donation programmes, and other locally tailored solutions to break down barriers to digital inclusion.
The UK Government estimates that people without online access pay up to 25% more for essential goods and services, such as insurance, train tickets and groceries, compared to those who use the internet. Those without basic skills also face significant disadvantages in the labour market, with many jobs requiring online applications, email use, and file-sharing skills.
Launching the fund, UK Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “It is unacceptable that in 2025, millions of people across the UK simply can’t access the vast opportunities that technology and the online world offers. Digital inclusion is an essential for modern life and work, not just something that’s nice to have, and it forms a critical part of our Plan for Change.
Making technology widely accessible could be the thing that means a sick patient can speak to a GP remotely, or that helps a young person successfully apply for a job. Through this funding we’re moving further to empower local leaders and groups nationwide, who are already working tirelessly to get their communities connected and change countless lives for the better.”
In England, local government bodies, charities and research organisations can apply directly for grants between £25,000 and £500,000 to deliver projects in their areas. In Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, the devolved administrations will determine how funding will be allocated to local digital inclusion initiatives.
Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “For over a decade, Wales has led the way in digital inclusion, and our Digital Strategy for Wales makes clear our aim to ensure everyone who chooses to can engage safely and with confidence with digital.
Being digitally included means having the basic digital skills and tools needed for everyday life – from accessing vital services and applying for jobs to staying connected with friends and family.
This new funding from the UK Government will build on the progress we’ve made, helping to further our lead and support the aim to support people to meet the minimum digital living standard.”
Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens added: “Navigating the digital world is increasingly important, from applying for jobs to managing money and accessing support services. I’m delighted that money is being made available to the Welsh Government to ensure that as many people as possible in Wales can benefit.
We want people in Wales to thrive in the modern online world, and we are working with all our partners to achieve this.”
The UK Government is directing the fund at local organisations, arguing that community groups and councils are best placed to understand the needs of the people they serve. The hope is that successful pilot projects could be scaled up to reach more people nationwide.
The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is part of a broader push by ministers to address the social and economic costs of digital exclusion. In June, the Government launched the IT Reuse for Good Charter, encouraging businesses and organisations to donate unused devices such as laptops and smartphones to individuals and households who cannot afford them.
The Digital Inclusion Action Plan, published earlier this year, committed the Government to a series of measures designed to ensure “technology can be harnessed by everyone in the UK”, including expanding skills training, improving access to affordable devices, and strengthening support networks for those struggling to get online.
While the Welsh Government has yet to announce how it will distribute its share of the £9.5 million fund, potential uses could include:
- Providing free or low-cost devices to low-income households.
- Running training workshops in community centres, libraries and schools.
- Funding outreach programmes to help older people and rural communities get online.
- Partnering with employers to improve workplace digital skills.
The funding comes as the UK Government seeks to raise living standards and boost economic growth by reducing barriers to work and services. Ministers argue that digital inclusion can help people apply for jobs, book medical appointments via the NHS app, access benefits advice through platforms such as GOV.UK Chat, and secure cheaper deals on everyday purchases.
Officials hope that by working with devolved governments and community partners, the fund will create a long-term legacy of improved digital skills and greater equality of access across the UK.
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