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<p>The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe called on states to focus on:
access to the internet; improving digital literacy; promoting access to STEM education
and careers; and ensuring equality of access to public services. The Government is
already making progress on these issues.</p><p>The Department for Science, Innovation
and Technology is delivering on the Government’s commitment to universal access to
reliable internet via its social tariffs initiative. To support low-income families,
we have worked closely with Ofcom and the industry to bring a range of social tariffs
into the market. These low-cost, high-quality broadband and mobile offers are available
from a range of providers, across 99% of the UK and start from as low as £10 per month.</p><p>The
Assembly called on States to ‘<em>combat digital illiteracy regardless of gender,
age, social status, economic situation, disability or any other personal characteristic</em>’.
The Government remains committed to developing digital skills across the whole of
the UK. Through our Digital Entitlement scheme, free Essential Digital Skills Qualifications
are available to enable people to gain the skills needed to participate in modern
life.</p><p>The Assembly also called on States to ‘<em>promote equal access to education
and careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
education and careers</em>’. The Government is funding a new generation of AI talent
through scholarships, each worth £10,000, supporting underrepresented groups, including
women, to undertake AI and Data Science Conversion Courses. The conversion courses
provide a masters in AI and data science, and allow those from a non-STEM background
to learn the skills needed to secure employment in the UK’s cutting-edge AI and Data
Science sectors.</p><p>The Assembly urged States to ‘<em>ensure equality of access
to public services</em>’. We are working to ensure that online services are as inclusive
as possible by making public sector websites accessible to as many people as possible.
Furthermore, assisted digital support services aim to increase digital inclusion for
those online users who lack digital confidence, digital skills or access to the internet.</p><p>As
stated at the Council of Europe, the Government will continue to scrutinise and prioritise
digital inclusion. The recent House of Lords inquiry into Digital Inclusion is an
example of this oversight, and will ensure the Government continues to prioritise
and deliver against this important area.</p>
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