As more and more of everyday life goes online, experts are warning that a huge number of residents are being left behind. Recognising this huge issue, many charities and local organisations are stepping in to provide digital inclusion support to help those who cannot afford or don’t feel able to adapt to a more digital lifestyle.

Speaking to one digital inclusion charity, the experts at Bionic have been able to reveal that nearly 1 in 5 adults lack the most basic digital skills needed for everyday life, with over 1 in 20 households having no internet access, neither fixed line nor mobile.

This analysis from the connectivity experts at Bionic has looked at the number of digital inclusion services provided across the UK, compared to their population and sizes retrospectively.

The most digitally inclusive cities

With an incredible 193 digital inclusion services, Manchester continues to take the lead as the most digitally inclusive city in the UK, supporting local residents to get online and to access vital digital services.

Surprisingly, whilst London did have a larger number of digital inclusion services, when taking into account the population of the capital, London failed to rank with less services per person.

Coventry follows Manchester with 61 digital inclusion services, and is then followed by Bangor, Newcastle, Birmingham, Liverpool, Worcester, York, Bradford and Hull.

The least digitally inclusive cities

Ranking as the worst place for digital inclusion support is Armagh, a town in Northern Ireland, where there are currently no dedicated services providing that support to local residents. Ely and St Davids both also provided no dedicated support service.

Despite Durham running 4 digital inclusion ‘hub’ services, this is a low number considering their population of 522,100. Lichfield, Chester, Londonderry, Wakefield, Brighton and Westminster all followed behind.

Last year, the House of Lords Digital and Communications Committee highlighted the urgent need for action on the digital divide onto the national agenda when it launched its inquiry into digital exclusion and the cost of living crisis. Their report did not hold back on its criticism of the Government’s lack of action on the issue, with Conservative Chair Baroness Tina Stowell herself commenting that ‘the scale of the problem is a direct consequence of the Government’s political lethargy’.

Les Roberts, connectivity expert at Bionic, comment on the findings:

“Our study highlights the pivotal role of digital inclusion support in building a more connected society. The fact that Manchester, Coventry, and Bangor have all emerged as the top three cities for digital inclusion in the UK is undoubtedly thanks to the hard work of local charities and organisations in their areas, showcasing their commitment to bridging the digital divide.

“However, the study also highlights the urgency for a nationwide approach to digital inclusion. While it's encouraging to see progress in certain areas, it underscores the necessity to extend these efforts to every corner of the country. Digital inclusion is not just a matter of convenience; it's an important aspect of everyday life, and can have huge implications for people’s access to education, employment, and even combating loneliness.”

Methodology

The index was created by comparing the number of digital inclusion services to the population sizes and area sizes. The number of digital inclusion services per area were revealed by reviewing registered organisations part of Good Things Foundation England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Population data is correct as of the 2021 Census survey completed by residents. All data is correct as of 15th January 2024.

About Bionic

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