Policy Brief | Covid and the Digital Divide | Holding NI Ministers to Account
background

Policy Watch

An eye on policy changes in Ireland, the UK and beyond

Covid and the Digital Divide | Holding NI Ministers to Account

Digital Rights  |  Mon Feb 15 2021

Covid and the digital divide

Citizens Advice reported that one in six UK households were struggling to afford broadband during the pandemic, in part because only three of the 13 largest broadband providers offer affordable tariffs for those on benefits.

An Education Committee meeting at Stormont heard from teachers about the challenges of delivering remote learning in the face of uneven digital access.

Holding NI Ministers to account

MLAs used the Assembly Question format to ask the Minister for the Economy about the £1.7 million Digital Hardship Fund for students and to ask the Minister of Education whether he will consider implementing data voucher schemes for students without access to proper broadband services. Answers are pending.

Follow our policy officer