The Data Poverty Lab

We set up the Data Poverty Lab with Nominet in 2021 to find sustainable solutions to data poverty. Together, we want to make the internet affordable for people on low incomes and free for people on very low incomes.

Read our Fellowship reports

We launched our first fellowship scheme in 2022 to examine data poverty from new angles and develop innovative framing and solutions.

What is the Data Poverty Lab?

The internet is essential. It enables work, friendships, healthcare and more.

But for too many people, it is unaffordable, with 8 million households having problems affording communications services  (Ofcom, 2021).

As the cost-of-living crisis bites and people prioritise energy and food, there is a real risk that people will be forced offline.

We set up the Data Poverty Lab with Nominet in 2021 to find sustainable solutions to data poverty.

Together, we want to make the internet affordable for people on low incomes and free for people on very low incomes.

What we're doing to make the internet more affordable

  • National Databank

    National Databank

    Like a foodbank but for mobile data, the National Databank provides free mobile SIM cards to help digitally excluded people get connected.

  • A young man working at a centre shows a tablet to a young woman. They are both smiling and look happy.

    Supporting people with data connectivity (Broadband and mobile data)

    This guide is for charities, community groups and organisations which reach and support people who are struggling to afford the internet because of poverty and the cost of living. It is especially for organisations which are not specialist providers of debt or money advice.

  • Data Poverty Lab Fellowship

    Data Poverty Lab Fellowship

    Nominet and Good Things Foundation are supporting the Data Poverty Lab Fellowship scheme to explore sustainable solutions to data poverty.

The Data Poverty Lab has built the foundations which will tackle unaffordable internet in the UK. We’ve done this by:

  • Developing the UK’s first National Databank, supported by Virgin Media O2;
  • Launching the Data Poverty Lab Fellowships scheme – to stimulate fresh thinking, advocacy and action on data poverty;
  • Partnering with APLE Collective to co-design solutions with people with lived experience of data poverty;
  • Supporting the APPG on Data Poverty for immediate policy action;
  • Engaging senior leaders in national, regional, and local government.

Read the Data Poverty Lab Fellowship reports

Building a Minimum Digital Living Standard

What is the basic ‘basket’ of digital goods, services and skills that different households need in the UK to live in a digital world? In 2021, the Nuffield Foundation awarded a research grant for a ‘proof of concept’ study to establish a benchmark for a Minimum Digital Living Standard for households – starting with urban households with children.

The project is led by the University of Liverpool with Loughborough University, City University, Critical Research and Good Things Foundation. And, in Wales with funding from the Welsh Government, with Cwmpas and Digital Inclusion Alliance Wales to support research into a Minimum Digital Living Standard for Wales. Nominet is providing additional funding so young people’s perspectives are included.

A basic level of digital access for all

The Minimum Digital Living Standard project runs until August 2023 – you can find out more about the project on the University of Liverpool's website.

 

Read more from the Data Poverty Lab

Partners

Nominet