'Digital divide' excluding groups

Last Modified: 18 Mar 2007
Source: PA News

New technology is transforming British homes and businesses but some groups are being left behind, a report says.

Take-up is slowest among older people and lower income households, the Office for National Statistics found.

Its research showed more than half (55%) of over-50s had not used a computer in the past three months, compared to 13% of people aged 16 to 30.

More than 90% of households in the highest income group have internet access, falling to under 20% for the lowest income group.

The ONS Focus on the Digital Age report describes a "digital divide" relating to the use of new technology by different groups in the UK.

"We live in an increasingly connected society, with the rapid advance of information and communication technology in business and in the home. But by no means everyone has joined in the digital age," the ONS said.

Its report says a growing number of people in Britain are doing business online.

Last year 18% of adults sold goods over the internet - more than double the level for 2003/04.

The percentage of UK businesses selling goods online increased from 7% to 15% between 2002 and 2005, according to the Office for National Statistics. And seven out of 10 UK businesses now have a website, the ONS report says.

Digital TV was broadcast to 65% of households in 2005/06 - up from just 19% in 1996/97.

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