From data and devices to having the skills and confidence to use tech, Nicki Lyons, Vodafone’s Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, explains why the Government’s Digital Inclusion Plan makes for optimistic reading.
Recently, I got together with my team to reflect on our proudest moments across the previous 12 months. While my amazing colleagues took centre stage, I did steal a few minutes at the end of our time to share what I’m most proud of myself, having now been in this role for just three and a half years.
At the top of that list was our collective work around closing the digital divide. To date, just over three million people and businesses have received help from Vodafone’s everyone.connected initiative. As I shared my recollections of first developing this programme with my team, it struck me just how wide-reaching an effort it has been.
From working closely with charity partners like Good Things Foundation to sharing our views with MPs up and down the country, digital inclusion is an issue that has involved every part of our team. Which perhaps shouldn’t be surprising, since it touches every part of society – a fact that is echoed by the Government’s new Digital Inclusion Action Plan, announced in February 2025.
By bringing together the private, public and third sectors, the plan outlines a comprehensive strategy for tackling digital exclusion. This joined-up thinking will be vital in addressing the four focus areas outlined by the Government.
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1. Opening up opportunities through skills
As part of its 2024 Consumer Digital Index report, Lloyds Banking Group suggests that around 3.8 million people lack the essential digital skills needed for everyday life, while roughly 7.3 million lack those needed for work.
With technology advancements showing no sign of slowing down, working to reduce these figures will be a crucial part of futureproofing the UK’s social and economic wellbeing.
The plan itself recognises Vodafone’s work with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as an example of how companies can team up with local authorities to bring devices, connectivity and skills training to those that don’t have them.
This has involved working with Lloyds and others to ensure local residents have access to the training they need to get online. In fact, the programme has already helped 4,500 do so, making it easier for them to perform everyday tasks like applying for jobs or accessing GP appointments.
"Whatever an individual’s location or circumstance, we firmly believe that no one should have their connectivity compromised."
2. Tackling data and device poverty
While many of us take connectivity for granted, there is still a proportion of UK residents that often go without it. This may be the result of living in a remote location, or it could be due to insufficient funds to pay for a device or internet service.
Whatever an individual’s location or circumstance, we firmly believe that no one should have their connectivity compromised. And, while Vodafone can’t singlehandedly address this issue, it has been playing its part since 2021.
One of the ways we have provided support to those in need is through donations of free SIM cards as part of our everyone.connected initiative. With unlimited data, free for six months, each SIM ensures the person who receives it has the basic connectivity that the rest of us often take for granted.
To date, we’ve helped over three million people and businesses and we’re on track to help a further one million over the course of 2025 through everyone.connected, so it’s heartening to see the Digital Inclusion Action Plan echo these ambitions.
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3. Breaking down barriers to digital services
The Government’s third focus area is around the accessibility of digital services. While much of this rests with the Government improving the usability of its own online services, it also proposes that industry itself meets various online standards.
This includes a proposal that industry partners become Disability Confident employers – a scheme that encourages employers to think differently about disability when recruiting, retaining and developing staff.
Fittingly, I’m proud that Vodafone has recently been certified as a Level 3 Disability Confident Leader, part of which involves supporting other businesses in becoming Disability Confident too.
This achievement reflects a longstanding effort to create a culture that supports all employees, giving each individual the freedom to turn up to work each day as their true selves.
"We believe connectivity offers a means to living a fuller and more empowered life."
4. Building confidence and supporting local delivery
Finally, the Government has made it clear that it wants people across the entire UK, regardless of their circumstances, to understand how they can benefit from being online.
The plan points to some interesting findings from a 2024 Ofcom report, that almost 7 in 10 of those who do not have internet access at home put this down to either not being interested or not having the need for it.
Having an understanding of connectivity’s benefits, as well as a trust in the internet and the confidence to use digital skills, all feed into this. Likewise, they are all issues that are very easy to overlook, especially for those of us fortunate enough to take online access and computer literacy for granted.
I’m proud to say, however, that Vodafone has been doing its part. Through everyone.connected and The Good Things Foundation’s National Digital Inclusion Network, we are helping people overcome these barriers. We believe connectivity offers a means to living a fuller and more empowered life.
Digital Inclusion Initiative brings together Liverpool City Region
As part of Vodafone UK’s everyone.connected programme, the Liverpool City Region initiative continues to prove why connectivity is a must for any successful, modern city.
A plan of action
In short, it’s heartening to see the Government’s Digital Inclusion Plan recognise the importance of these various factors. As my team will certainly attest, they are all areas that I consistently bang the drum about.
They will also tell you that, by working together with the UK’s public authorities, our charity partners and the rest of the mobile industry, meaningful progress is more than possible. And that’s certainly something to be optimistic about.
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