Poorer households are being left in the “broadband slow lane” despite relying more heavily on the internet at a time of rising prices, a new LGA report on digital exclusion has revealed.
It finds that households in the most deprived parts of England are less likely to be able to get fixed broadband, which supports the fastest possible speeds, with access to fixed broadband 15 percentage points lower than in the least-deprived areas.
This is despite them using nearly 50 per cent more data than wealthier areas.
Separate figures also show a strong relationship between having fixed broadband and higher earnings and educational achievement, such as being able to work from home or do schoolwork.
Each 10 percentage point increase in access to fixed broadband is associated with a four percentage point increase in economic activity and about three points in average attainment at age 15 in schools.
Towns and cities continue to benefit from faster download and upload speeds compared with rural areas, while places with the best fixed broadband coverage tend also to have the best mobile coverage, the report finds.
The LGA is calling for the appointment of a dedicated digital exclusion minister to lead a new strategy to close the gap between areas and across society.
LGA Digital Connectivity Spokesperson Cllr Mark Hawthorne said: “The Government has pledged to give every home and business access to the fastest possible broadband, but this report demonstrates the digital divide is still holding some back in the broadband slow lane.
“We need a complete refresh of the current digital inclusion strategy, which is nearly a decade old, with a minister in charge to oversee it and make sure no one is left behind.”