Good Things Foundation challenges party leaders to stop millions being left behind in the digital age

As the UK’s political parties gather for their annual conferences, Good Things Foundation — the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity — warns 3.7 million families still do not meet the Minimum Digital Living Standard.

With the PSTN switchover already underway - and many households set to move to digital in the coming months - the charity warns the digital divide will widen unless party leaders act boldly.

Good Things Foundation is setting out its 2025 Policy Asks, calling for politicians to:

• Lead with vision – set a bold, future-focused vision for a digitally included UK in the age of AI, reshaping all departments and underpinning all missions
• Deliver online public services that work for everyone – embed digital inclusion into the transformation of Government services
• End the postcode lottery – co-invest to expand the National Digital Inclusion Network, so no community is left behind
• Seize big moments for big impact – ensure major infrastructure changes, such as the PSTN switchover and the move to IPTV, are used to hardwire digital inclusion into society
• Innovate funding for inclusive growth – create bold new funding mechanisms to ensure everyone can participate in a digital society — now and in the future.

Hannah Whelan, Advocacy Manager at Good Things Foundation, said:

“Digital exclusion is Britain’s next great social injustice. It locks millions out of work, healthcare, education and community life. That’s why we are calling on party leaders to act now: bake in digital inclusion, don’t bolt it on. We hope the government continues to show the bold vision this country needs - so that everyone can participate fully in a digital society, now and in the future.”

Good Things Foundation has already worked with the Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on the Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps,

Its National Digital Inclusion Network has grown to more than 7,300 organisations across the UK, delivering free data, devices, skills and confidence support.

In partnership with VodafoneThree and Deloitte, the charity also launched the Government-backed IT Re-Use for Good Charter earlier this year.

For the full 2025 Policy Asks, visit our manifesto page.