Embedding digital inclusion to make services accessible to all
Through the Digital Inclusion Action Plan, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) is increasing access to devices and connectivity, boosting people’s digital skills and confidence and providing local support in communities across the UK.
Our goal
All government services are inclusive by design and more people, regardless of their circumstances, have the access, resources and skills they need to participate in our modern digital society.
What this means for you
This initiative applies to services that are UK-wide.
- Opportunity to boost your skills and confidence: if you’re an eligible adult, you’ll have access to local support funded by the government and delivered by local authorities to help you learn the essential digital skills you need. This could mean feeling confident enough to manage your doctor’s appointments online, apply for a job on a modern platform or stay connected with loved ones through video calls. This also means having the skills to check online content carefully and spot false misinformation, so you can stay safe and make informed choices online.
- Faster and more reliable internet: broadband and mobile coverage is being expanded across the country, especially in underserved areas. This translates to faster streaming, clearer video calls and a more reliable connection for working or studying from home.
- Save time and cut the stress of dealing with government: you’ll find it significantly easier to complete essential tasks online, like renewing your passport, claiming benefits or booking appointments. Our goal is for these services to be simple and intuitive.
- Access to high quality devices: more people will get access to the devices and connectivity they need through government initiatives. If you’re struggling to afford a laptop, government is working with local delivery partners to provide high-quality refurbished devices at no cost to those who need them.
Our progress so far
February 2025: published Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps
The Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps is the government’s immediate plan of action and sets out the 4 key areas to be addressed through future work: skills, data and device poverty, barriers to digital services and confidence. This has set a clear national direction and laid the foundations for coordinated, long-term action to close the digital divide.
February 2025: established Government Device Donation pilot
DSIT, together with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), launched the first cross-departmental pilot to get free, refurbished devices to people who need them. Through the scheme, the Digital Poverty Alliance takes end-of-life government devices and redistributes them to digitally excluded individuals and families, alongside providing up to date software and skills support to ensure everyone has the tools needed to thrive online.
June 2025: set up the Digital Inclusion Action Committee (DIAC)
The DIAC is an external advisory body that scrutinises, steers and aids the work of government in reducing digital exclusion across the UK. This committee holds us accountable and helps us ensure our plans help everyone – regardless of age, income, location or ability – to access and benefit from digital technologies.
June 2025: announced £1.9 billion funding for broadband and 4G coverage
More people and businesses across the UK will benefit from gigabit-capable broadband and better 4G coverage through the Shared Rural Network, led by Building Digital UK (BDUK). These initiatives aim to deliver 99% gigabit broadband coverage by 2032 and have already increased 4G coverage beyond 95% of UK landmass.
June 2025: launched the IT Reuse for Good charter
You can now benefit from the IT Reuse for Good charter, an initiative that increases access to phones, tablets and laptops. The charter encourages public, private and third sector organisations to refurbish and donate their end-of-life devices through delivery partners to digitally excluded individuals who need them most. This means you’ll be able access high-quality, refurbished devices which are suited to your needs and can make your everyday tasks easier. By reusing devices, this scheme also helps reduce electronic waste in the UK – making it good for you and good for the planet.
August 2025: launched Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund (DIIF)
DSIT launched the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund to support targeted interventions that meet the needs of digitally excluded people and increase digital participation. These projects deliver practical, local support and digital skills training, focusing on vulnerable groups, including low-income households, older people, disabled people, the unemployed, and young people aged 25 and under. It also supports activities that will produce new knowledge and help fill in evidence gaps on effective interventions.
December 2025: announced DIIF funding recipients
DSIT officially announced the recipients of the DIIF grants, showcasing the locally-delivered, targeted interventions supporting digitally excluded people.
What we’re planning to do next
June 2026: put inclusivity at the heart of the design and delivery of digital services by piloting inclusion metrics in the Service Standard
DSIT will work with service teams and external partners to co-design new inclusive service principles and patterns. We will also pilot the addition of inclusion metrics to the service assessment framework. Building on the accessible service principles, this will ensure that the tools and knowledge are available across the public sector to make services inclusive by design, meaning better and easier to use services for everyone. All new digital services across government must meet the inclusive service standards before being made public.
June 2026: report progress against the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps
DSIT will report on progress against the government action plan for digital inclusion, ensuring transparency on our commitment to closing the digital divide.
More information
For more information about government’s action plan for digital inclusion, contact:
Digital Inclusion and Skills Unit
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
digitalinclusion@dsit.gov.uk
You can also read the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps.
For more information about inclusive service standards, contact:
Service Standard team
Government Digital Service
servicetransformation@dsit.gov.uk
You can also visit the Service Standard on GOV.UK.
For more information about improving digital infrastructure, contact:
Building Digital UK
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
enquiries@bduk.gov.uk
You can also find out more about Building Digital UK on GOV.UK.