Manchester's Digital Divide

Think about how many ordinary things now begin with a screen: booking a GP appointment, applying for a job, speaking to a landlord or checking a benefits account.

For someone without a suitable device, steady internet connection or the skills to use those services, everyday life can become harder than it needs to be.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority reported that around 67% of adults in its May 2026 resident survey experienced at least one form of digital exclusion. That includes barriers such as connectivity, devices and skills. The estimate does not mean that two-thirds of residents cannot use the internet at all. It means a much wider range of difficulties can affect people who may otherwise appear to be online.

This is important for organisations moving more services onto websites and apps. A resident might own a smartphone but still struggle to complete a complicated form. Someone may know how to send messages but have never created a CV or attached a document to an email.

Digital inclusion is not simply about handing out devices. It is also about patient help, affordable access, accessible services and the chance to practise without feeling embarrassed.

For local organisations, the test is straightforward: can the people you support actually complete the online tasks you expect of them, or are you assuming that having a phone means having digital confidence?

Manchester has a strong technology sector. Its residents should have a fair opportunity to benefit from it too.