TechUK Tackle Digital Divide

TechUK urges councils to become local digital leaders to tackle digital exclusion.

20:44 03 September 2018

TechUK is on a mission to tackle digital exclusion and has urged councils to become local digital leaders and work better with charities to solve the growing digital divide in many local communities.  

 

The tech industry body has released a guide, the Council of the Future: A Digital Guide for Councillors, containing a number of recommendations on how local authorities can ensure that digital technology is properly used to improve the lives of their residents. These include working with charities and voluntary sectors to educate residents about digital technology that can help them better engage with local services. Local councils are also urged to create digital leadership roles, such as chief digital officer.

 

The report states: “To build relationships with residents, it is important that citizens can engage in the way they prefer, this could be both face-to-face or digital. Digital can offer a seamless and practical alternative when face-to-face is not possible but it must be an inclusive approach.

 

“Furthermore, as part of the digital portfolio and council digital strategy, elected officials can work with officers and community partners, from schools to libraries to the voluntary sector, to tackle digital exclusion and give residents more choice in how they engage with their public services.”