Connectivity for Vulnerable Constituents

Alan Brown MP calls on the UK Government to support the most vulnerable in society.

Mr Brown has written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport to raise the issue of constituents who are isolated with little or no internet access.

The letter calls on Westminster to take urgent action to support existing schemes to ensure constituents can receive the technology required to help them stay in touch.

The Office for National Statistics has identified 1.9 million households without access to the internet in the UK, who are currently digitally excluded as we face a socially distanced world.

In the letter to Oliver Dowden CBE MP, Mr Brown states: “COVID-19 has resulted in many of our constituents working and learning from home for the first time, but not for people who lack technology and digital skills.

“Digitally excluded people, who are often some of the most vulnerable in our society, find themselves shut in their homes facing social isolation with no means of communicating with the outside world. They are unable to find accurate health information, shop online for essentials, or access the Government services they need to support themselves.”

Meanwhile, yesterday (7th May 2020) the Scottish Government announced a £5m plan to tackle the same issue (The Connecting Scotland Programme). The initiative includes an internet connection, training and a laptop or tablet for vulnerable people who are not online.

Commenting, Mr Brown said: “Times like these has conveyed that connectivity has never been more important than it is today. Not only do we need good internet access to be able to work from home during the pandemic but also for so much more.

“We need it to stay in touch with what is going on during this ever-developing predicament. We also need it to stay in touch with friends and family, we have all been making more Facetime calls in order to achieve this.

“However, there are so many who are not able to do any of these things and that has to change. We must get them online in order to access vital services like health, employment, food shopping and banking.

“Once again the Scottish Government are leading by example through The Connecting Scotland Programme and I hope Westminster follow suit. We have pledged throughout this pandemic that no one can be left behind and I will do everything in my power to ensure we stick together.”