Financial support is needed to give poorer people access
to computer technology, a government report has urged.
The report produced by the social exclusion unit, part of the
office of the deputy prime minister, said IT equipment, software
and internet access was “prohibitively expensive” for many people
on low incomes.
In a survey, 77% of respondents thought current trends would
widen the “digital divide” and increase inequality, leaving
socially excluded groups of people worse off.
“There is a need for financial support to increase people’s
access to technology, and for a reduction in the cost of internet
connection,” the Inclusion through Innovation report said.
The study also identified market issues behind inequality of
access to IT, such as the tendency for IT developers to focus on
profitable mainstream markets rather than disadvantaged groups.
Lack of physical access to IT facilities, particularly for
elderly and disabled people, lack of IT training and poor basic
skills also prevented disadvantaged groups using technology, the
report said.