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Digital Technology: Disadvantaged

Asked by Sir John HayesConservativeDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 27 February 2026UIN 113031

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of trends in the level of digital exclusion in Lincolnshire.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

Everyone should be able to benefit from the digital world – helping families save money, get a better job, and access services like the NHS more easily.

But we know some people face real barriers. Data from 2024/25 shows that 8% of adults in Lincolnshire reported they do not use the internet, with the average across England also at 8%.

That’s why we published the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, and why we’re now delivering the foundations: better connectivity, more devices reaching people who need them, and support to build skills and confidence in communities across the UK.

We also launched the £11.9 million Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund, including £25,872 for a community-led digital skills project in Grimsby, helping more people across the UK get the access, skills and confidence to get online.

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