On 22 August 2022, the Auditor General for Scotland published Tackling digital exclusion.
The report says "In an increasingly digital world not everyone can get the services and support they need or are entitled to. Digital exclusion affects people who don’t have or can’t afford a suitable digital device, internet connection or data package, or do not have the skills and confidence to use digital technology. It is estimated that one adult in every six lacks essential digital skills for everyday life, and nine per cent of Scotland’s households do not have an internet connection".
Read the report on Audit Scotland's website
The Committee agreed at its meeting on 16 January 2025, to close scrutiny of the report and in doing so, write to the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, the Social Justice and Social Security Committee and Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee on key issues raised during the evidence heard.
The report was discussed at the following Committee meetings:
The Committee has sent and received the following correspondence during its scrutiny of the report:
Correspondence from the Convener to the Convener's of Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice, Local Government, Housing and Planning and Social Justice and Social Security Committees, 4 February 2025
Correspondence to the Convener from Lesley Fraser, Director-General Corporate, Scottish Government, 23 December 2024
Correspondence to the Convener from Citizens Advice Scotland, 13 December 2024
Correspondence from the Convener to Lesley Fraser, Director-General Corporate, Scottish Government, 14 November 2024