On Wednesday 26^th February, Government announced their Digital Inclusion Action Plan policy paper to ensure everyone can access crucial digital services, it sets out their approach to digital inclusion with medium and long term work.

Digital Inclusion takes a collaborative approach to ensuring everyone can seek support and access to digital technology and services. Over the years organisations have been working across a number of schemes locally with communities to enable local support.

Over the next year, the government will:

Launch an ambitious Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support local initiatives that increase digital participation. We will launch this fund in the spring and intend to deliver in partnership with local leaders and devolved governments

Enhance support for the framework that helps people and businesses get the essential skills they need to get online safely and with confidence

Pilot a proof-of-concept multi-department device donation scheme with the Digital Poverty Alliance to provide re-purposed government laptops to those that need them

Make government digital services easier to use with a renewed focus on digital inclusion, for example by improving the whole experience for users and increasing the number of services that use GOV.UK One Login

Measure what works on digital inclusion, identify where the need is greatest, and establish the economic and social value of upskilling adults with digital skills

Digital Cheshire are working on the provision of providing fibre broadband and alternative connectivity solutions to areas in desperate need. Whether that’s mobile, fibre, satellite or different provisions to ensure access is available across rural Cheshire, Halton and Warrington.

In addition Digital Cheshire are working on support schemes to enable businesses, residents and communities to access support around education, advice and guidance on digital practices, with a dedicated inclusion project launching shortly.

Visit the Government website to view the Action Plan – Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps – GOV.UK