Internet Access: Low-income Families

Science, Innovation and Technology – in the House of Commons at on 15 March 2023.

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Photo of Mark Fletcher Mark Fletcher Conservative, Bolsover

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help low-income households access the internet.

Photo of Julia Lopez Julia Lopez Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office), The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We want fantastic connectivity in every part of the UK. We have worked to ensure that a range of low-cost social tariffs are available in 99% of the UK for as little as £10 a month, which is highlighted in our Help for Households campaign and in our work with the Department for Work and Pensions, to make them easier for low-income households to access. We are also working on digital skills with the Department for Education.

Photo of Mark Fletcher Mark Fletcher Conservative, Bolsover

While we continue to make progress on this front, could the Minister remind utility companies, particularly British Gas, that not everybody has access to a computer and the internet? It would be helpful if its services reflected that.

Photo of Julia Lopez Julia Lopez Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office), The Minister of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

I thank my hon. Friend for raising his concerns about British Gas. As the digital infrastructure Minister, I want to ensure that everyone has great access to the internet, but he might be interested to know that suppliers with more than 50,000 customers must allow people to pay energy bills in cash or on prepayment, and talk to them over the phone.

Photo of Alison McGovern Alison McGovern Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)

What assessment has the Minister made of the impact of cryptocurrency technologies on low-income households?