Government to provide extra £6 million in digital inclusion funding
Sir Chris Bryant, Minister for Data Protection and Telecoms, announced the new funding earlier this month, to support digital inclusion next year. During a speech at London Tech Week, Bryant said that the money would be used to “back local digital inclusion initiatives …. including through our Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund.”
Gov.ukNew ‘IT Reuse for Good’ charter targets businesses and public sector groups
The Department of Science, Innovation and Technology is calling for businesses and public sector bodies to sign its new ‘IT Reuse for Good’ charter. Developed in partnership with charity Good Things Foundation, and businesses VodafoneThree and Deloitte LLP, the charter promotes ‘reuse first’. Organisations pledge to refurbish and provide devices to those who are digitally excluded.
Gov.ukDigital Poverty Alliance launches its National Delivery and Advocacy Plan 2025
The charity launched its plan this month, focusing on six missions, from increasing awareness about the need for strategic action to building the evidence base. The report lays out a phased approach, outlining past achievements and work for the next two years, as well as longer-term milestones.
Digital Poverty AllianceNew report on digital access in prisons
Advocacy organisation the Prison Reform Trust has published a new report looking at digitisation in prisons over the last decade. Based on interviews with prisoners, staff, and others, it describes progress in five key areas: family contact, self-services, health and wellbeing, education, and resettlement. But it also explores where digitisation is falling short, for example looking at the impact from a lack of internet access in the weeks before release.
Prison Reform TrustNew report on ending poverty across Cambridgeshire
A new report on tackling deprivation in Cambridgeshire has highlighted digital poverty as one of six key focus areas. Published by the Cambridgeshire Poverty Strategy Commission, a group convened by Cambridgeshire County Council, the report explores the scale, impact, and causes of digital exclusion in Cambridgeshire. It also provides recommendations for tackling the issue.
Cambridgeshire County CouncilFree resources for organisations creating a Digital Champions programme
Social enterprise Digital Unite is offering some free beginner resources for organisations looking to find, train and support digital champions – members of staff or volunteers who can support others with digital skills. The resources support initial planning, from case studies and visioning templates to short videos with tips for getting others on board. You have to pay for most of their resources, but the start of this module is free.
Digital Unite
