More seek help to stay connected digitally

The number of people in need of support to stay connected digitally is rising significantly in the wake of the cost-of-living crisis, says a major mobile operator.

Vodafone says its scheme with charity The Trussell Trust to provide free connectivity to people who are receiving support from food banks had seen rising demand in recent months.

The firm has committed to providing one million people currently living in digital exclusion with connectivity by the end of 2022. and has announced it had already done so for 250,000 through schemes like its Everyone Connected initiative – which sees the mobile operator provide a sim card, 20GB of free data, free calls and texts for up to a year.

Vodafone UK chief executive Ahmed Essam, said."The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have highlighted the scale of digital exclusion, and in particular its impact on the most vulnerable in society.

"Digital connectivity is essential to access work, education, healthcare, finances and to keep in touch with family and friends, yet 1.5million households are living without internet access.

"By working with leading organisations like the Trussell Trust who can reach people in need, we aim to help as many people as possible stay connected."

Emma Revie, chief executive of The Trussell Trust said: “It is simply not right that more people in the UK are using food banks and making impossible decisions about where they have to cut back and being online is one of the essentials.

“Our partnership with Vodafone is making a real difference.”