How do we solve digital exclusion in a cost of living crisis?
The Communications and Digital Committee holds the opening session of its new inquiry into digital exclusion. The inquiry comes at a time of rising concern around cost of living pressures.
Meeting details
At 2:30pm: Oral evidence
Inquiry
Digital exclusion and the cost of living
Chief Executive Officer at Good Things Foundation
Director of Policy and Advocacy and Chief Economist at Which?
Head of Environment, Infrastructure & Local Growth at Centre for Economics and Business Research
Head of Policy and Communications at Digital Poverty Alliance
Background
Some of the main factors linked to digital exclusion in the UK include age, socioeconomic status, region, and whether a person has a disability. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted many services and activities to move online, raising concerns about deepening digital exclusion. The economic impacts are thought to be extensive, and several recent studies have indicated the potential to unlock economic growth by addressing the digital divide.
Possible questions
The Committee examines the nature of digital exclusion, its impacts, and potential solutions. Key questions may include:
- What does digital exclusion involve and what types of impact can it have?
- What are the economic consequences of digital exclusion in the UK?
- How have challenges around cost of living affected digital exclusion, and what interventions could help over the next 12 months?
- What are the best long-term solutions to tackling digital exclusion over the next five years, and what are the obstacles to implementing these changes?