UK 
United States
With more than five million Brits unable to carry out simple online tasks like sending emails or using the internet, new research reveals UK workers are missing out on additional earnings of £5.69 billion due to a lack of digital skills according to Virgin Media O2 and economic modelling from Cebr.
In response, Virgin Media O2 and digital inclusion charity, Good Things Foundation, are helping the nation to improve their digital skills with hundreds of free sessions during ‘Get Online Week’ (17-23 October).
As the UK faces ongoing economic instability and with an uncertain jobs market, the research shows a lack of adequate digital skills could exacerbate problems being faced by cash-strapped Brits struggling to make ends meet. More than a third of Brits (34%) feel a lack of digital skills training has held back their earning potential already, and almost a third say they need digital skills so they can shop around for deals and save money - amid rising anxiety over the cost of living.
Get Online Week
During Get Online Week (17-23 October), hundreds of community centres across the UK will hold free sessions to help people with low or no digital skills get online.
It comes as Virgin Media O2’s research finds a lack of digital skills is costing the economy £12.8 billion in GVA (Gross Value Added), with 5.4 million Brits unable to carry out simple digital tasks such as using a computer to write a letter or sending an email, despite wanting to.
The sessions are designed to help people learn how to use the internet to carry out essential tasks such as word processing, emailing, accessing online services including booking medical appointments, managing their money online, applying for jobs, taking part in virtual interviews, or accessing online education or training programmes.
Lack of digital skills cuts earning potential and affects mental health
With almost a third (31%) of Brits believing they have been passed over for a promotion or pay rise because of a lack of digital skills, a quarter of people in the lowest earning pay bracket (less than £12,570 p/a) feel their skills would be inadequate to secure them a similarly paid role if made redundant, while a fifth (21%) say they need digital skills so they can get a job with a higher salary because of the cost-of-living crisis.
In addition, two thirds of Brits say a lack of digital skills is contributing to their stress and anxiety. Almost half (44%) say a lack of digital skills is adversely affecting their ability to look after their mental health and personal wellbeing, for example not being able to book online medical appointments or apply for benefits.
Tackling the digital divide
Virgin Media O2’s support of Get Online Week is part of the company’s three-year partnership with Good Things Foundation, where it has donated £2 million to help disadvantaged people across the UK to get online and gain vital digital skills.
This builds on Virgin Media O2’s and Good Things Foundation’s pioneering National Databank Initiative which launched in July 2021 and is a like a foodbank but for free mobile data, texts, and calls. Virgin Media O2 is donating more than 61 million GB of free O2 data to the National Databank to help people most affected by the cost-of-living crisis to stay connected.
Virgin Media O2’s partnership with Good Things Foundation forms part of its new sustainability strategy, the Better Connections Plan, and is one of the ways it will reach its goals to improve the digital skills and confidence of two million people by the end of 2025.
Nicola Green from Virgin Media O2 said: “With the cost- of-living crisis deepening and Brits facing rising bills, it’s more important than ever that people can gain vital digital skills, so they can apply for better paid jobs and increase their incomes, while boosting the UK’s economy by almost £13 billion.
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“Together with Good Things Foundation, we’re hosting free digital skills masterclasses in community centres across the UK to improve the nation’s digital skills, as part of Get Online Week.
“It’s part of our ambition to upgrade the UK, where we’re committed to improving the digital skills and confidence of two million people by the end of 2025.”
Rafaut Hussain who attends the North Manchester Community Project and is attending free digital skills classes, said: “During the pandemic, I really struggled as everything moved online including doing things like scheduling and attending GP appointments and booking COVID tests.
“The digital skills course offered by the North Manchester Community Project supported by Virgin Media O2 and Good Things Foundation gave me the chance to learn and gain the new skills I needed to manage my day-to-day activities.
“It has also given me a much-needed confidence boost. This new skillset has opened so many possibilities and opportunities for me and my wider community, including shopping online, sending emails and managing my healthcare.
“I really hope others take up these opportunities because the support is out there, it’s just a matter of taking that first step.”
Helen Milner, Group CEO of Good Things Foundation said: “It’s really concerning to read that more than a third of Brits feel their limited digital skills are holding back their earning potential.
“With many people experiencing strains on their finances right now, having the right digital skills to find new employment opportunities and manage money is absolutely essential.
“That’s why Good Things Foundation’s Get Online Week campaign is so important. This week community organisations across the UK are holding events to provide in person, personalised support to people with low level digital skills. People will be able to build their confidence and gain the skills they need to fully benefit from the online world.
“But with 2 million households struggling to afford internet access in the UK today – and 10 million adults lacking the most basic digital skills, we need to do even more to build a movement for digital inclusion that leaves no-one behind.
“This underpins our 2022-2025 strategy, making sure we go further to Fix The Digital Divide – for Good.”
