Morning, Tuesday, 8th December 2026
Online
This conference will examine next steps for digital inclusion policy in the UK. Areas for discussion include access to digital infrastructure and devices, digital skills and confidence, inclusive design of public and private services, measuring digital inclusion, and practical implications of wider digitalisation for access to essential services.
The conference will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities following publication of the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: One Year On, alongside ongoing work of the Digital Inclusion Action Committee and the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s Digital Inclusion and Skills Unit. Delegates will discuss ongoing implementation of the Action Plan, looking at models for collaboration between government, industry and local delivery partners, the use of targeted investment and evidence to reduce barriers to digital inclusion, and wider approaches to improving access to essential services as digitalisation continues.
Measuring exclusion and improving design of services and digital literacy
The agenda will assess approaches to defining and measuring digital inclusion, including the role of the Minimum Digital Living Standard and the use of evidence to inform policy and investment. Attendees will consider priorities for improving digital skills and confidence across different groups, embedding inclusion in the design and delivery of public and private digital services, and insights emerging from projects supported by the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund on delivering effective local interventions.
Recent legislation and implications of the Watch This Space green paper
Further discussion is expected on the future of digital inclusion policy as more public, commercial and media services move online. Sessions will consider accessibility and public confidence in digital services, implications of the Government’s Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media green paper - including proposals relating to the long-term future of Digital Terrestrial Television and options for greater internet-based delivery - and priorities for maintaining user protection, confidence and accessibility as the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 and the Online Safety Act 2023 are implemented.
Overview of areas for discussion
- Digital Inclusion Action Plan implementation and funding:
- the role of the Digital Inclusion Action Committee, Digital Inclusion and Skills Unit and Government Digital Service
- collaboration with industry, as well as delivery and evaluation of projects supported by the Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund
- what can be learned from devolved governments and local authority digital inclusion strategies
- digital inclusion metrics such as the Minimum Digital Living Standard
- intersectionality and cultural factors in inclusive policy design
- digital skills, education, employability, and workforce upskilling:
- incorporating digital skills into the curriculum following the Curriculum and Assessment Review - measures to align skills gaps with economic needs
- support for school leavers and unemployed individuals - initiatives such as work coaches, Google’s commitment to provide intensive digital skills training and the Workforce Digital Skills Charter
- addressing workforce upskilling needs - assessing private sector programmes - tackling fragmentation in skills provision - public campaigns to boost awareness and engagement
- tackling digital, data and device poverty:
- initiatives such as device donations - social tariffs and data voucher schemes - impact of industry commitments - addressing cost-of-living barriers to internet access
- evaluating the progress of Project Gigabit towards 2032 broadband targets - addressing mobile connectivity gaps, and public Wi-Fi networks - impact of industry mergers on 5G coverage
- access to digital services:
- accessibility of essential public and private digital services - options for new accessibility standards - assessing the Government’s One Login and biometric identity proofing
- bank branch closures - balancing digital-by-default with non-digital alternatives - public trust in online services
- the Online Safety Act 2023 and the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024
- access to trusted media:
- Watch this space: a new strategic direction for UK media green paper - the long-term future of Digital Terrestrial Television and options for greater internet-based delivery
