Crucially the research is based on the views of members of the public. Discussion groups with working-age adults, pensioners, parents and young people in urban and rural areas identified a set of core must-haves – adequate digital goods and services, plus the knowledge and skills needed to carry out everyday tasks online, alongside digital safety and wellbeing.
The report was launched at an event in London, hosted by the Nuffield Foundation who funded the research. A key aspect of this research is how it can inform national and local government, regulator, telecoms industry and service providers, and organisations who work to reduce digital barriers. The event was very well attended by people from across these sectors. After Katherine Hill and Chloe Blackwell presented the research findings, panels including representatives from Ofcom, Welsh and Scottish Government, North East Combined Authority, London Borough of Camden, Age UK, and Virgin Media O2 reflected on the value of MDLS and how it is being used help think about what is needed for digital inclusion – in strategy and policy, within their organisations, and in tangible ways to provide support for service users. As one commented ‘it puts the person back in the middle of the conversation’.