More than 10 million adults across the UK have never used the internet, and worryingly 4 million of this group are also socially excluded. All of them are missing out on the opportunities and cost efficiencies that the web has to offer.
Of the 4 million adults offline who are socially and digitally excluded:
- 39 per cent are over 65 years old
- 38 per cent are unemployed
- 19 per cent are in families with children
Led by Champion for Digital Inclusion, Martha Lane Fox, the Race Online 2012 challenge aims to deliver 10,000 private, public and charitable sector partners by the end of 2010. All Race Online 2012 partners are required to lay down a Digital Promise that will inspire, educate and train the four million people in the UK who are currently offline.
Joining some of the UK's most influential household names including TalkTalk, Comet, Skype and McDonalds, moneysupermarket.com, has today launched a range of content on its website including an exclusive video with Martha Lane Fox. Customer newsletters will ask recipients to "Pass IT on" by helping people they know who are not online get connected. Plus the comparison site will be working with local communities in north Wales and north west England to help launch a number of new initiatives aiming to support people in getting online.
Peter Plumb, chief executive of moneysupermarket.com said: "Once people get online the savings that they can make are large: for example by switching to an online energy tariff our customers save an average of £260 a year. In today's world the number of products available and the pace of change means that internet access is essential if you want to find a great deal, especially as providers often launch new deals without telling existing customers.
"As a business, moneysupermarket.com's goal is to help every household make the most of its money, so throwing our weight behind the campaign to get everybody online is absolutely the right thing for us to be doing."
Martha Lane Fox said: 'Race Online 2012 could create profound social and economic change to the UK. I believe that working together we can realise the full potential of a digitally inclusive society'.
'Creative partnerships with private companies, together with peer-to-peer and intergenerational support amongst employees, their families and friends, and local communities, is vital to bringing people online'.
'It is fantastic that moneysupermarket.com has joined Race Online 2012 - every company we work with brings to the table a fresh resolution to help the four million digitally and socially excluded benefit from what the web has to offer. The moment to empower citizens through technology is now', concludes Lane Fox.
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Further Information
- For full details of Race Online 2012 first wave Partner Promises visit http://www.raceonline2012.org
- To find out more about becoming a Race Online 2012 Partner visit http://www.raceonline2012.org
- For people who are already online and know someone who is not visit http://www.helppassiton.co.uk
- To find out more about getting online call 0800 77 1234 to find your nearest UK online centre where friendly staff are waiting to help them get started
Notes to Editors
- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) research was conducted between 16th September and 9th October 2009
- For a full copy of the PwC report please visit http://www.raceonline2012.org
- Martha Lane Fox was appointed as independent Champion for Digital Inclusion in June 2009. The Prime Minister asked her to broaden her role to become the UK's Digital Champion earlier this month see http://raceonline2012.org/sites/default/files/resources/martha_lane_fox.pdf
- Digital Inclusion Limited is government funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government (through the Community Development Foundation) but is an independent organisation
- Martha Lane Fox co-founded lastminute.com, Europe's largest travel and leisure website, in 1998. She then went on to co-found and chair the private karaoke chain Lucky Voice. In 2007, she launched Antigone, a grant-giving foundation that supports education, health and criminal justice charities to reflect her commitment to social justice. She is non-executive director at Marks & Spencer plc, Channel 4 Television and Mydeco
- UK online centres provide millions of people with access to technology and support in using it. They offer free or low cost access to the internet and email, deliver online courses and encourage people to progress onto further learning. For more information, please visit www.ukonlinecentres.com
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