Digital divide could become a chasm

Research from BT predicts that whilst the number of digitally excluded people will fall from 27 million to 23 million by 2025, the people excluded risk losing access to fundamental services like medical information and education.

At present, one in two adults (51%) are not online. The report warns that the impact of the gap between the "have-nets" and "have-nots" will widen greatly if the government, commercial organisations and designers of new technology fail to engage people who have so far rejected the digital age.

In 2025 those on low incomes will continue to be hit the hardest and will account for a quarter of the total number of Britons who are digitally excluded.

The ageing population trends will also play a part, leading to a rise in the number of registered disabled people and an older generation disinterested in new technology.

BT did concede that it was possible that increased convergence and user-friendly technology could slowdown the onset of digital exclusion. It also accepted that the threat of a digital divide is comparitively less pressing than homelessness and famine.

However, it said its findings dismiss as "wishful thinking" the view that the problem will evaporate with time. BT said that future technologies may become more complex to master, leaving people unfamiliar with digital services "marginalized and excluded".

The report stressesed the need for more resources to promote ditital technology to "disengaged groups", making digital training and technology more affordable to all.

Adrian Hosford, director of corporate responsibility, BT, said: "Organisations such as BT can help to tackle the problem and we have a number of grass roots projects, which are working to help people in disadvantaged communities overcome digital exclusion.

"This is a good start but more needs to be done by all those involved if we are to tackle the scale of this issue."

The Future Foundation undertook the research, on behalf of BT, in November 2004. The findings are based on interviews, desk research and forecasts.