Further to minute 37 (14 November 2012), the Council’s Principal Economic Policy Officer gave a presentation on Increasing Digital Inclusion in Wirral. She referred to the significant benefits of digital technology and commented that it supported every aspect of life and influenced how individuals and businesses communicated and received services. She referred to DWP digitalisation and commented that the government proposed to deliver public services online, starting with Universal Credit in 2013, which would have significant implications for service users, Councils and social housing providers.

Digital exclusion referred to access to, and extent of use of, the internet. She highlighted the scale of exclusion nationally and across the Liverpool City Region, which indicated that in Wirral, 42,452 adults had never used the internet. Those groups less likely to be connected included older people, those with disabilities and those unemployed or on low income – those who would benefit most from online services and who would be directly affected by Universal Credit.

For all those reasons, Go ON Wirral launched last year, to promote digital inclusion for all and she outlined the activities that were being undertaken by the Council and its partners, including –

·  Recruitment of digital champions

·  Increasing the number and range of local places for people to access the internet and to get support to build their digital skills

·  Provision of wi-fi in public places

·  Increasing web access points

·  NGA superfast broadband

Members expressed their concern in relation to service users being required to use the internet for access to Universal Credit and, specifically to the adequacy of the provision of suitable public IT facilities. In response to a number of questions, the Strategic Director: Regeneration and Environment reported upon ongoing work associated with the provision of high speed internet to Wirral businesses. He also agreed to provide an update to Members with regard to the provision of wi-fi in Council buildings, together with information related to affordable access to equipment and connectivity for disadvantaged groups.

Resolved – That the presentation be noted.