Scotland is falling behind on tackling digital inclusion with 15 per cent of adults lacking the basic digital skills to access the internet, the national body for the voluntary sector and charities has warned.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations has warned that ‘urgent’ action is required to address deepening inequality that risks excluding people from vital services online – including education and healthcare.
The membership body is demanding a clear strategy from ministers a year on from the publication of a damning Audit Scotland report which called for clear leadership that built on the momentum achieved in response to the Covid pandemic.
Despite the report landing in 2024, progress has stalled, said the SCVO, and efforts to establish a Digital Inclusion Alliance have resulted in a ‘talking shop’ with no clear lines of accountability.
David McNeill, director of development at SCVO, said today: “It’s been a year since Audit Scotland warned that Scotland was falling behind on digital inclusion, but we’re still waiting for strategy, delivery plan and visible leadership from the Scottish Government.
“Digital exclusion isn’t just about technology – it is both a cause and consequence of poverty. Being digitally included means people have access to healthcare, education, employment, and connection to society. Without it, people are excluded from opportunities most of us take for granted. Urgent action is needed to avoid deepening inequality and locking thousands of people out of vital services and opportunities.”
SCVO’s new report, “Error 404: Digital inclusion still not found”, highlights some of the main issues. In it are figures which show 15 per cent of adults lack foundational digital skills – the basics like turning on a device, connecting to the internet or managing passwords. It revealed that 9 per cent of households remain offline and 6 in 10 households don’t meet the ‘minimum digital living standard’, reflecting insufficient access to digital goods, critical skills and services.
Another issue highlighted in the report is that ministers have failed to build on good work done during the Covid pandemic, during which 61,000 households were given access to devices, connectivity, and skills. However, the charity has warned momentum for that work – completed under the Connecting Scotland programme – has now been lost.
Under the programme, households were supported at the height of the pandemic with iPads or Chromebooks; internet connectivity via ‘MiFi’ (portable, battery-powered or rechargeable wireless device that taps into 4G or 5G mobile phone networks) devices; and digital skills support. Everyone on the programme was also offered the option of a free Good Things Foundation National Databank SIM, capped at 40GB of data per month.
McNeill said households were gifted the iPads or Chromebooks and were supported with up to 3 years of unlimited internet connectivity. The final remaining internet connections for those households ended last month, with support provided to help those still using it to find an affordable alternative tariff. Some people may not have successfully transitioned from the support programme to regular internet access, but it is currently hard to quantify, and the problem cannot be fully addressing without also tackling the root causes of poverty and ensuring digital public services don’t exclude people by design.
McNeill added: “During the pandemic the Scottish Government was world-leading in its response to tackling digital exclusion, but momentum has been lost and it is now lagging behind. The UK Government has taken decisive steps, including the recent launch of a £9.5m Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund. There’s been no indication of how the Scottish Government intends to use its share of that funding.”
That funding amounts to £764,020 for Scotland, which the SCVO says needs transparency as to how it will be spent. It further demands the Scottish Government publishes a clear timeline for a refreshed digital inclusion strategy and delivery plan; commits to properly resourcing activity to meet measurable outcomes and works openly and collaboratively with local authorities, the voluntary sector, and industry.
Richard Lochhead, business minister, addressed the issue today in response to a parliamentary question from Scottish Labour.
He said: “Our approach has evolved since the pandemic, but our commitment remains firm. We are tackling the root causes of digital exclusion while developing sustainable ways to mitigate its impact. Our refreshed digital strategy developed with COSLA will set a national direction, followed by an action plan with measurable outcomes. We are embedding inclusion into public services, ensuring that access is not an afterthought as well, and we will continue to lead cross sector collaboration, including through the Digital Inclusion Alliance, addressing digital exclusion as a national priority.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that everyone in Scotland has the skills, confidence, and access they need to participate fully in the digital world. Our National Digital Strategy sets out the measures we are taking to support the most vulnerable and digitally excluded people to access technology, understand its benefits and limitations, and develop the skills they need to stay safe online.
“We are currently working with COSLA to refresh this strategic plan to bring a bigger focus on delivery and respond to changing circumstances. The refreshed plan is expected to publish later this year.
“This work is supported with £10 million of Scottish Government funding in 2025-26 to improve digital access for those learners who need it most.
“The UK Government has recently confirmed a Barnett consequentials allocation to the Scottish Government following the launch of its Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund initiative. Details on how we plan to allocate this funding will be announced in due course.”
