Award-winning broadcaster, writer and actor, Reggie Yates, highlights scale of growing divide, as over 35 million* say they lack the digital skills needed to take part in everyday life.
Well over half of Brits (61%) now say being online isn’t a luxury, it’s a fundamental human right.
Almost three quarters (73%) believe that access to the internet is ‘essential’ for modern life, critical for managing finances (40%) and for positive mental health, including connecting with loved ones (37%).
Research by Vodafone as it marks major milestone of helping four million people and businesses cross the digital divide through its everyone.connected programme, providing connectivity, affordable services and digital skills training to millions over the last four years.
Despite this incredible achievement, there is still more to be done and to raise awareness of the much-misunderstood issue, Vodafone today unveiled a life-sized Snakes and Ladders board to show the real-life pitfalls of living on the wrong side of the digital divide. Reggie Yates visited the installation to find out more and help highlight the importance of a digitally inclusive society.
Members of the public can come down to Potters Field Park next to Tower Bridge today to learn more about how to dismantle the digital divide for good and get connected with their local Good Things Digital Inclusion Hub.
New research has revealed that most Brits surveyed now see internet access as a basic human right, with over a third (36%) believing digital skills are as vital as being able to read and write. Despite this, more than 35 million (66%) say they lack the know-how to fully engage online, underscoring the urgency behind Vodafone’s continued campaign to close the digital divide.
The majority of Brits (68%) believe that keeping pace with technology is vital for advancing in the modern world. Those with poor digital skills say it makes them feel out of touch (20%), and stressed or worried (14%), and over a third (37%) think it’s important for their mental health for things like keeping in touch with friends and family.
Today in London: Vodafone unveils a giant Snakes & Ladders installation illustrating the challenges of the evolving digital divide and the barriers preventing many from taking part in modern life. The board marks Vodafone’s milestone of helping four million people and businesses gain access to essential skills, devices and connectivity through its everyone.connected programme.
Today in London: Vodafone unveils a giant Snakes & Ladders installation illustrating the challenges of the evolving digital divide and the barriers preventing many from taking part in modern life. The board marks Vodafone’s milestone of helping four million people and businesses gain access to essential skills, devices and connectivity through its everyone.connected programme.
Today in London: Vodafone unveils a giant Snakes & Ladders installation illustrating the challenges of the evolving digital divide and the barriers preventing many from taking part in modern life. The board marks Vodafone’s milestone of helping four million people and businesses gain access to essential skills, devices and connectivity through its everyone.connected programme.
With technology advancing at pace, it’s becoming more and more difficult for people to keep up. A lack of confidence or motivation impacts how six in 10 Brits (66%) use the internet, so the bar for digital inclusion is being raised ever higher.
The research was carried out to shine a light on the current state of the digital divide and understand what needs to be done today to eliminate digital exclusion. It comes as Vodafone reaches a significant milestone in its everyone.connected programme, which has helped four million people and businesses cross the digital divide.
Despite helping millions since the programme’s launch in 2021, the research shows there is still much to be done for the many who don’t have access to the basic connectivity or skills to fully participate in our digital society.
To help understanding and highlight this ongoing problem, Vodafone today revealed a giant Snakes and Ladders board in London, raising awareness of the ups and downs faced by those living on the wrong side of the digital divide.
Vodafone helps 200,000 people connect through National Databank
Designed to ensure everyone can benefit from internet connectivity, the National Databank is delivered through a network of more than 3,500 Digital Inclusion Hubs, run by community-based services throughout the UK.
In four short years, technology has completely transformed how people live, work and connect; most people (64%) now view working from home as the norm, and 59% rely on tech every day to keep in touch with their loved ones.
In fact, connectivity is intrinsic to virtually every part of modern life, from public services and healthcare to finance, work and education. Three quarters (75%) of respondents rely on it to complete essential tasks, including booking GP appointments (33%), getting news updates (39%), managing finances (53%) and navigation (34%).
And nearly four in 10 (39%) Brits believe digital communication skills are as important to getting ahead as social skills and basic literacy (36%), with 61% believing that being online should be a human right.
Together with our partners, we’re proud to have made a real difference, helping millions of people across the UK access the digital world and build essential skills.
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, VodafoneThree
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, VodafoneThree, said: “When we launched everyone.connected four years ago, our goal was to help those without devices or connectivity as life moved online quickly and unexpectedly during the pandemic.
“What began with the Great British Tech Appeal has grown into a nationwide programme offering social tariffs for those facing financial hardship, connectivity for charities and small businesses, and digital skills training.
“Together with our partners, we’re proud to have made a real difference, helping millions of people across the UK access the digital world and build essential skills.”
How a SIM card brought dignity and hope
For this London charity helping asylum seekers and refugees, mental wellbeing is a top priority.
Reggie Yates, award-winning broadcaster, writer and actor, said: “I’ve seen first-hand how opportunity can change depending on which side of the street you live on. Today, that divide is digital.
“Too many people are locked out of education, creativity and connection simply because they lack the means or the know-how to access the connectivity that so many of us take for granted.
“It’s great to partner with Vodafone to shine a light on the issue and help to build a digitally inclusive society where no one is left behind.”
A complex and evolving divide
Even as we increasingly depend on the online world, 41% state that a distrust in news and fears about misleading information is an ongoing concern. A further 38% of those surveyed added that ever-more sophisticated fraud and scam campaigns are a worry, and more than half (51%) said this stopped them engaging with new tech and platforms – even those who identify themselves as tech-savvy (50%).
To continue to move forward, we must ensure people have the right skills and confidence to embrace new tech at home and in the workplace.
Helen Milner, CEO, Good Things Foundation
Helen Milner, CEO, Good Things Foundation, said: “The digital divide is far reaching, with serious social and economic consequences. While progress has been made, challenges around digital skills, usage and confidence persist, leaving people at risk of digital exclusion as technology evolves and trust remains fragile.
“From finding work to accessing everyday services or building new business tools, being able to use technology effectively is now essential. That’s why we’re so proud of our partnership with Vodafone, helping millions of people across the UK access devices and connectivity.
“To continue to move forward, we must ensure people have the right skills and confidence to embrace new tech at home and in the workplace.”
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This research comes as Vodafone announces it has helped three million digitally excluded people and businesses cross the digital divide as part of its everyone.connected initiative.
Expectations are high in the workplace and are only going to continue to grow. 87% of business owners surveyed say they now require up-to-date digital skills from their employees, with a third (33%) saying these skills are more important today than they were five years ago.
While confidence is high with basic tasks like online shopping (86%), banking (84%) and emails (85%), it plummets for higher-level skills like maximising productivity (59%), using work-related digital tools (56%) or spotting fake news (65%).
With high numbers of Brits concerned about their digital know-how, 64% state they are keen to improve their skills, with the most popular areas for growth revealed as staying safe online (31%), boosting creativity (23%), and advanced skills such as coding and data analysis (34%).
Lyons added: “Reaching our four million milestone is just the beginning. The digital divide is complex and evolving, impacting people faster than their skills or resources can adapt.
“That’s why we’re doubling down on our commitment to help even more people, with our partners, over the coming years.”
Mind the connectivity gap: Vodafone and Good Things Foundation highlight digital divide
Five million people are currently missing out on 5G in the UK, creating a ‘connectivity gap’ that threatens to widen the existing digital divide between some rural or deprived communities and the rest of the country.
Launched in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone.connected focused on providing connectivity, technology, and affordable tariffs to those at risk of digital exclusion.
While everyone.connected today celebrates its ambition of helping four million people and businesses cross the digital divide, Vodafone is continuing its work to support those who need it most with access to connectivity and devices, while increasing its focus on enhancing key digital skills, AI literacy, and future readiness.
This will include skills and confidence support through Good Things Foundation’s National Digital Inclusion Network and grassroots programmes that support communities, alongside the infrastructure rollout. By addressing the capability gap, Vodafone aims to ensure that everyone can fully participate in community life, the economy, and the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
To find out more about the programme and how to get connected with your local Good Things Digital Inclusion Hub, visit the interactive snakes and ladders installation at Potters Field Park, near Tower Bridge in London, from 08:00 – 16:00 on Tuesday 9 December.
As the UK’s largest provider serving fixed and mobile customers, VodafoneThree is building a network that provides connectivity for all, no matter your situation. In the process, proving that connectivity can be a force for good.
Join the journey, as we work to dismantle the digital divide for good. Visit the VodafoneThree website to find out more.
Stay up to date with the latest news from VodafoneThree by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
*66% = inverse of I consider myself to have a high level of digital skills and take full advantage of the benefits of being online0.663 *53,646,829, this is 35,406,908.14.
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of2000 consumers (18+).The data was collected between 28.11.2025-01.12.2025. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.
About VodafoneThree
VodafoneThree is the UK’s largest mobile provider serving fixed and mobile customers, formed following the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK in June 2025.
Through an unprecedented £11 billion investment, VodafoneThree will build the UK’s best network. The network will deliver reliable, quality connectivity to all nations and regions, creating as many as 13,000 jobs and laying a digital foundation for the country’s growth ambitions.
VodafoneThree is the only mobile network operator with a fully funded, regulated and guaranteed network build plan, reaching 99.95% population coverage by 2034. From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, the company’s mission is to build the UK’s best network.
VodafoneThree is a private company, 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% owned by CK Hutchison Holdings. It encompasses all businesses and assets, including Vodafone UK, Three UK, VOXI Mobile, SMARTY and Talkmobile.
About Good Things Foundation
Good Things Foundation is the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity. We work to fix the digital divide at a hyperlocal level with our National Digital Inclusion Network – comprised of more than 7,300 community partners providing a range of free digital inclusion support, such as:
The National Databank, providing free mobile connectivity data
The National Device Bank, supplying free, refurbished devices to people in need; and Learn My Way, our free flagship basic digital skills platform, which has supported thousands to get online.
Working in partnership with the network, our strategic partners Virgin Media O2, VodafoneThree, Accenture and Nominet and others to deliver at scale, we advocate for digital inclusion to fix the digital divide for good.
Together, we have engaged more than 1 million people with digital inclusion support. Good Things Foundation believes everyone should have the confidence, skills, support and access to use digital technology, participate in society and benefit from the digital world.
Vodafone UK is a technology communications company that connects people, businesses and devices to help our customers benefit from digital innovation. Our services span mobile, fixed-line connections, home and office broadband, and the Internet of Things (IoT).
We have a strong track record as a tech pioneer, making the UK’s first mobile phone call, sending the first text message, and making the UK’s first live holographic call using 5G in 2018. We were the first to start carrying live 5G traffic from a site in Salford, Greater Manchester and now have 5G in locations across Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain as well as the UK. Meanwhile, our 4G network coverage currently reaches over 99% of the UK population.
Today, Vodafone serves more than 20 million unique full fibre premises in the UK through partnerships with CityFibre and Openreach.
For more information about Vodafone UK, please visit: www.vodafone.co.uk
