Last week I visited Crawley Library, which is widely regarded as being the best library in the whole of West Sussex and an excellent Crawley facility that West Sussex County Council provide. While I was there, I observed an elderly man needing assistance to access his email account, in order to respond to everyday business that is now routinely done by email. This got me thinking about how many of us take such things for granted and about how that the digital revolution has not moved at the same pace for everyone.
Therefore, I was especially pleased when last Saturday, Karen Brady announced that the Conservative Government will ensure free training for adults who lack basic digital skills in the Digital Economy Bill that is currently before Parliament.
In today’s digital economy, being able to use modern technology and navigate the internet ought to be considered as important as basic literacy and numeracy. Unfortunately, a recent report found that there are 12.6 million adults in in the UK who lack the basic digital skills they need to send an email, fill out an application form, or even simply browse the internet. It is estimated that 5.8 million people have never used the internet at all. In today’s world, this is putting some people at a real disadvantage, especially the elderly and the least well-off in society.
The Government will introduce a new statutory duty to provide free training in basic digital skills for adults who need support. This digital skills training will be delivered by colleges and adult education providers. These changes will help those returning to employment to gain the skills they need - helping to make sure that our economy and our society works for everyone.
This free training in basic digital skills will be for adults who lack qualifications or IT capability. The forthcoming amendment to the Digital Economy Bill currently going through Parliament will put digital skills on the same footing as English and Maths. We want a country that works for everyone and that means giving people basic digital skills so they don’t fall behind.
Councillor Duncan Crow, Leader of Crawley Borough Council Conservative Group
5th October 2016