|
Digital Inclusion – the ability to gain access to online information as services – is now a basic building block to economic regeneration and growth. And conversely, digital exclusion is increasingly seen as a major barrier to personal, community and regional economic well-being. Research has shown this impact is a reality from which additional per capita GDP can be generated.
The Government published The Digital Britain Report, its strategic vision for ensuring that the UK is at the leading edge of the global digital economy.View the final report and the executive summary.
Access to on-line services is transforming the way many of us live, learn, work and create. Hence access to digital on-line services has become a key factor in both economic productivity and economic engagement – at an organisational, individual and social level.
For business; digital inclusion is clearly a key driver for increased competitiveness and access to new markets
For individuals; digital inclusion and on-line access is invaluable in locating employment, purchasing goods and service cheaply, and participating in broader social and economic activity. For society; digital inclusion has a vital role on economic competitiveness, educational performance, health, employment and economic engagement.
In a number of regions across the UK the level of digital exclusion is significantly below that of the average for the country as a whole. These levels of digital inclusion are a handicap to regional growth and development – and are unlikely to be addressed by the market alone. Hence, within the UK, there are a number of central and local government initiatives intended to improve the overall levels of digital inclusion and to overcome the digital divide evident in many communities.
|
