Digital poverty transformation: accessing digital services in rural northwest communities

This report presents a state-of-the-art literature review that identifies the conditions of digital poverty and exclusion. Six conditions that collectively characterize and specify digital poverty are identified: infrastructure, social demographics, skills and support, place, purpose and everyday practice. The report also presents findings from a rural Northwest England regional survey (501 participants) and 15 in-depth interviews with participants experiencing digital poverty: four personas use stylised facts to characterize those living in digital poverty. A roundtable with policy stakeholders considered the dynamic nature of digital poverty revealed by our analysis. Recommendations for interventions included a systematic and coordinated approach to digital services affordability and digital access education at a national, regional and (hyper)local scale, to build the confidence and capabilities of those living in digital poverty.