Up to 19 million people over the age of 16 living in the UK are experiencing some form of digital poverty, according to new research.

A report by non-profit charity Digital Poverty Alliance (DPA) and Deloitte found that one in two people living in DE classified households, those considered to be working in semi-skilled or unskilled occupations, are currently facing digital poverty.

The DPA defines digital poverty as the “inability to interact with the online world fully, when, where, and how an individual needs to”.

The research also revealed that unemployed people are two to three times as likely to experience digital poverty, while younger adults between the ages of 18 and 34 are more likely to be impacted by the effects of it than middle-aged adults between the ages of 35 and 55.

Additionally, the study found that women are more likely to be affected by digital poverty than men.

Looking across the UK, Northern Ireland and Scotland are most impacted when it comes to digital connectivity, device and participation gaps, while Northern Ireland and Wales appear most impacted when digital skills gaps are factored in.

The study estimates that improved digital skills could be worth £17 billion collectively in additional earning for individuals However it said this could be partially offset by lower benefit income and depends on employer demand, while reducing social exclusion could create £2 billion in additional welfare benefits to individuals.

DPA and Deloitte also say that addressing digital poverty could save the NHS around £1 billion pounds across the UK's GP practices.

The report follows the launch of the charity’s National Delivery Plan, announced earlier in the year, which set out six key missions to achieve its goal of ending digital poverty by 2030.

“Digital poverty can impact an individual’s life at any age, from a child’s education to an elderly person’s ability to access services, such as online banking, and more must be done to support those in need,” said Elizabeth Anderson, interim chief executive, DPA. “As the DPA work towards the goal of ending digital poverty by 2030, the report will act as a guiding pillar for government, businesses and stakeholders."

Anderson continued: “Ending digital poverty will take more than just the actions of a select few, but the collective actions of the nation, and we hope the report increases the momentum the DPA has created towards this vital cause.”

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