The UK government has launched the £9.5 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to tackle digital inequality, boost economic growth, and raise living standards as part of its Plan for Change. The funding will support initiatives that help people get online, such as running technology workshops and donating devices to those without internet access. Delivered in partnership with the devolved governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the fund will draw on local expertise to design and deliver solutions that meet community needs.
Local councils, charities, and grassroots organisations will be able to apply for grants ranging from £25,000 to £500,000 in England, while devolved administrations will determine their own funding distribution. The aim is to address the digital exclusion faced by 7.9 million UK adults lacking basic digital skills and the 1.6 million people living entirely offline, many of whom face higher living costs and are locked out of essential services and opportunities.
By empowering local groups to create innovative solutions, the government hopes to develop approaches that can be scaled nationwide. The fund builds on existing initiatives, including the IT Reuse for Good charter, which encourages organisations to donate devices. UK Telecoms Minister Sir Chris Bryant emphasised that digital access is essential in modern life, enabling everything from remote medical consultations to online job applications.
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Jane Hutt, highlighted that being digitally included means having the skills and tools for daily life, from accessing services to staying connected. She noted that the new funding will support Wales’ ongoing digital inclusion strategy and help more people meet a minimum digital living standard.
The fund fulfils a commitment from the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, aiming to ensure that everyone in the UK can benefit from technology. By addressing digital exclusion, the initiative will help more people apply for jobs, use NHS apps, and access online government services—ultimately driving growth and improving quality of life across the country.
