£9.5 million government fund will help to tackle digital exclusion across the UK

College students e-learning over their smart phones in a coffee shop
image: ©Brothers91 | iStock

The UK government has launched a new £9.5 million fund to support local councils, charities, and community organisations in helping more people across the country get online

The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is part of the Plan for Change, which will boost economic growth and improve living standards through better access to technology.

Local organisations can now apply to the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund for grants ranging from £25,000 to £500,000 to run initiatives that address digital exclusion in their communities. These may include running workshops to teach digital skills, donating laptops or smartphones to those in need, or launching new tools to make the internet more accessible.

Addressing a growing problem

Digital exclusion remains a significant challenge in the UK. While technology plays a central role in everyday life, 1.6 million people in the UK are still offline. 7.9 million adults also lack basic digital skills. This digital divide means that many are missing out on job opportunities, access to healthcare, and even better deals on basic goods and services.

People who are digitally excluded may pay up to 25% more for essential items like home insurance, food, and train travel because they can’t access online discounts or price comparisons. The new Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund is designed to help close this gap by ensuring that more people have the skills, confidence, and tools to benefit from the digital world.

Support across the UK

The £9.5 million will be distributed across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Funding allocations have been made based on population size, with the devolved governments managing the funds in their respective regions to reflect local needs. For the financial year 2025–26, the breakdown is as follows:

  • Wales: £400,368
  • Scotland: £764,020
  • Northern Ireland: £267,249

These governments will determine how best to distribute the funding to support ongoing digital inclusion efforts already underway in each nation.

This announcement follows the launch of the IT Reuse for Good charter earlier this year, which encourages organisations to donate unused devices to those without access to technology. The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund hopes to build on these initiatives and drive forward practical solutions that can be expanded nationally if proven successful.

The Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund also aligns with the goals set out in the government’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, which outlines the steps needed to ensure everyone can benefit from digital technology, whether that’s for accessing healthcare services, finding employment, or managing finances.

Focusing on local impact

By focusing on grassroots organisations and local councils, the government hopes to tap into the knowledge and expertise already within communities. These groups are often best placed to understand the barriers people face and develop targeted solutions that make a real difference.

The Digital Inclusion Innovation Funding will bring people online in a sustainable, empowering way, ensuring they have the skills and support needed to stay connected long-term.

Applications are now open for eligible organisations in England, while details for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will be managed locally.

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