'Help social tenants get online' Boris tells internet providers

The Mayor of London’s digital inclusion strategy, published this month, cites official statistics showing 20% of social housing tenants in London have never used the internet, compared to 10% of private renters and 3% of home-owners who have a mortgage.

The strategy said many housing associations ‘are committing significant funds to projects which offer internet skills training’ , however it warned that the need for affordable home internet cannot be met with their [housing association] efforts alone’.

It said: ‘Housing associations are unable to supply residents with devices, IT hardware or long-term internet access. They also cannot act as the permanent intermediary customer between providers and their clients, due to the financial outlay.’

The document added: ‘More creative and sustainable solutions are required by internet providers to ensure the issues of affordability and access are addressed.’

Mr Johnson has also:

• pledged to ask the government to review regulator Ofcom’s powers in ensuring affordable broadband availability across London and the UK and to review line rental costs
• committed to implementing a digitial skills programme funded by the London Enterprise Panel and central government

Mr Johnson has also set up a connectivity advisory group to work with councils,  housing associations and internet service providers to support digital inclusion initiatives.

Housing association Hyde Group, which has pledged to get 1,500 tenants online in the next three years, welcomed the strategy.

Sarah Thurman, director of Hyde Plus, which provides digital training to Hyde tenants, said: ‘Access to the internet, and the skills to use it, can make the difference between getting a job or not, making your money last, keeping in touch with family or friends and learning new things.’

The need to ensure tenants have internet access has been made greater by universal credit, under which claimants will be expected to manage their benefits, which will be paid direct to households, online.