During the pandemic, 49 per cent of people in the UK and the US have struggled, or know someone else who has struggled, to gain access to basic online services like healthcare, grocery delivery, and education, because of how they are offered online.

Research from Kin + Carta also found that additional pressures placed on domestic tech provision and broadband services have become apparent when multiple family members work or study at home.

43 per cent of households don’t have enough connected devices for parents and kids to work simultaneously.

The study also revealed that 74 per cent of consumers think it is important that websites and apps should be accessible to people with different needs within their households.

“The upgrade cycle and planned obsolescence strategies adopted by some tech firms means that consumers using older devices won’t necessarily be able to access all the information and services they need, particularly when they are hosted through apps,” said Richard Neigh, managing director, Kin + Carta Connect. “It’s up to the corporate world to ensure their platforms and products are as accessible as possible - not doing so genuinely affects people’s quality of life.

He added: “The most vulnerable segments of society, including those in the gig economy, have been priced out of access to services that have become essential during lockdown, such as grocery deliveries, healthcare and job postings.”

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