The UK government has launched a major national effort to close the digital divide by funding 80 innovative local projects through the £11.7 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. These initiatives will help people in every region get the skills, confidence and access they need to use the internet for essential tasks, from booking NHS appointments to shopping for better deals and staying connected with others. The announcement comes as millions of adults in the UK still lack basic digital skills or remain completely offline, limiting their ability to access services, manage finances or find work.
The funded schemes are tailored to local needs and focus on groups most at risk of digital exclusion, including disadvantaged young people, older adults and people experiencing homelessness. Examples include e-sports-based digital skills programmes for young people, NHS app training for thousands of older residents, and device and data access for people without stable housing. These projects aim to improve living standards, reduce daily costs and create new opportunities by empowering individuals to participate fully in the digital economy.
Each organisation will report back on its results to help shape future national digital inclusion efforts. Funding has also been allocated to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ensuring a UK-wide impact. The initiative forms a key part of the government’s broader digital skills strategy, which includes plans to equip millions of workers with essential AI skills and launch major tech skills programmes for students in the coming years.
Community leaders and project partners welcomed the investment, highlighting how access to technology and digital training can transform lives—helping people manage health needs, find employment, stay safe online and overcome social isolation. They emphasized that digital inclusion must become a built-in part of public services, not an afterthought, to ensure no one is left behind in an increasingly digital society.
