Jangala’s submission: Call For Evidence to the Digital Inclusion Action Plan

10th April 2025

In February 2025, the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) within UK Government released a Digital Inclusion Action Plan. As part of this work, DSIT opened a Call for Evidence, asking organisations and individuals to respond to the plan. Below is a summary of Jangala’s key messages in response to the Call for Evidence.

In response to DSIT’s Digital Inclusion Action Plan, Jangala welcomes the focus on devices, data, skills and confidence; the cross-ministerial approach to a cross-departmental challenge; the acknowledgement that industry, governments and civil society all have a role to play; the focus on lessons learned from existing local leadership; and the recognition that digital exclusion is a challenge faced by people across a range of demographics. 

We also welcome DSIT’s approach to asking for evidence from existing experts and the call for evidence in response to the National Action Plan. Our response at Jangala is that despite these strengths in the plan, key gaps we have identified are 1) groups more likely to be digitally excluded 2) short-medium term connectivity and 3) the role of grassroots community groups.

Our work and research with people from digitally excluded groups shows that some people are facing the sharp end of digital exclusion. These are groups of people who are more likely to be disproportionately affected by this challenge, and face a deepening cycle of social inequality through digital exclusion, through compounding factors of financial insecurity, precarious living situations and discrimination.

These groups include: people living in temporary accommodation, refugees and asylum seekers, survivors of domestic abuse, people facing homelessness, people with learning disabilities, people with experience of the criminal justice system, traveller communities and care leavers. 

Because digital exclusion fuels a cycle of social inequality, people in these groups often need internet urgently. People at the sharp end of digital exclusion are not always served by existing connectivity options or long-term infrastructure investment.

Fixed line social tariffs are not always appropriate for people facing accommodation instability, and a SIM card and phone, although helpful, may not enable someone to complete education or employment activities. Cost is the main barrier faced. Other connectivity options, which address accommodation instability and extreme financial hardship are needed in the short- and medium- term. 

Our recent research report Digital Lifelines, released in collaboration with Virgin Media O2, Good Things Foundation and Coventry City Council, demonstrates how portable, low cost, contract-free solutions enables people in temporary accommodation to get internet access quickly. It highlights how internet access empowers individuals to become more independent, offering vital support to their mental health.

By increasing people’s ability to connect with loved ones, explore, access essential services independently and soothe themselves with music and games, they are in a better position to find a route to independence, and access increased health, economic and social outcomes. 

Lastly, we would like to highlight that although Local Authority and place-based approaches are highlighted, the plan could use a clearer, outlined role for grassroots and community-based organisations.

Jangala launched its digital exclusion programme Get Box in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, harnessing our international expertise in deploying devices to grassroots organisations and connecting marginalised communities in low and middle income countries.

With the cost of living crisis that has followed, we have seen the same high demand for our free devices and data funded by Virgin Media O2 and the National Databank in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

We receive requests from an astonishing diversity of community groups and organisers including village halls, scout groups, faith organisations, education centres, food banks, reflecting the broad spectrum of front line organisations who play a role in addressing digital exclusion. These are the organisations who work directly with people at the sharp end of digital exclusion, and they must play a vital role in addressing the digital divide.