Government momentum on tackling digital exclusion has slowed since the Covid pandemic – risking the further marginalisation of vulnerable people, a new report has found.
National leadership is needed to ensure the 15 per cent of people without digital skills and nine percent of homes without internet access are not ‘left behind’ as more services move online.
Audit Scotland – the oversight body that scrutinises public bodies – added that more clarity is needed on who is supposed to be delivering the national digital strategy.
Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Digital technology is at the heart of public service reform. Increasing efficiency is vital to ensure services can be delivered cost-efficiently, at a time of ever-intensifying budget and service pressures.
“To achieve this, the Scottish Government must have clear actions to tackle and mitigate the impacts of digital exclusion. Failing to do so risks marginalising the most vulnerable people in our communities. Those who most depend on public services, must be at the forefront of the Government’s plans to reform how services are delivered.”
According to the new Tackling Digital Exclusion report, one in six Scottish adults lack the digital skills needed for everyday life.
Whilst the regulator said public bodies must make better use of technology to deliver services, it warned of “unintended harms and further widening inequalities” of the digital divide.
During the Covid pandemic, the Scottish Government led local government and third sector efforts to ensure technology was made available to people without access to devices and data.
Then £50 million was invested to provide access to devices, data and skills, especially to those affected by poverty, age or because they have a disability.
However, since the 2020 pandemic, progress has stalled, with the report highlighting: “Momentum has slowed, national leadership weakened, with less funding available.”
It added: “To help mitigate the harms caused by inequalities, by the end of 2024/25 the Scottish Government and COSLA [the membership body for local authorities] need to develop a clear action plan, with clarity on leadership, roles and responsibilities. This must also include detail about the funding needed and available to deliver this plan.”
The report stated: “This is vital – it’s currently unclear across local and Scottish Government, and the third sector, who is responsible for delivering Scotland’s national digital strategy.”
Nichola Brown, Member of the Accounts Commission, which oversees local government spending, said: “COSLA has a vital role in setting out clear commitments and actions to support councils to deliver on digital.
“Councils across Scotland, working collaboratively with local public, private and third sector partners must be clearer about how they will reduce digital exclusion in their local area.”