David McNeill reflects on the lack of progress in 12 months

One year on...

In August 2024, Audit Scotland issued a stark warning: Scotland’s leadership on digital inclusion had faltered, momentum had stalled, and thousands risked being left behind without urgent action.  

More than one year later, the picture remains unchanged:

• There’s still no updated national strategy.
• There’s no published action plan.
• There’s no clear political leadership or accountability in Scotland.

Meanwhile, far too many people are still being locked out of our digital world:

• 15% of adults lack foundational digital skills - the basics like turning on a device, connecting to the internet or managing passwords.  
• 9% of households have no internet access at all.  
• Perhaps most worrying: in Scotland, six in every ten households don’t meet the Minimum Digital Living Standard - reflecting insufficient access to digital goods, critical skills and services.  

This matters because digital exclusion isn’t just about tech - it’s about access to healthcare, education, employment, social connection and civic participation. Without inclusion, people face significant disadvantage and increasing inequality.

The Scottish Government’s lack of progress contrasts sharply with the UK Government, which has delivered decisive action since coming to power last year:

• A dedicated Digital Inclusion Team has been established.
• A UK-wide action plan is now in draft, following consultation.
• A £9.5 million Digital Innovation Fund has been launched, including an allocation of £764,020 for Scotland.

Press refresh: our call for leadership and delivery

Scotland has the vision, the evidence and the partners ready to deliver digital inclusion. What’s lacking is leadership and delivery from the Scottish Government.

That means:

• Clear ministerial accountability for digital inclusion.
• Embedded action across all relevant areas of policy and public service delivery – with a focus on tackling the issue as both a cause and a consequence of poverty.
• Investment in activity based on the wealth of existing evidence of what works.

We’re already seeing the UK Government step-up.

We call on the Scottish Government to:

1. Share a clear timeline for publishing a digital inclusion action plan which will set out clear responsibilities and measurable milestones.
2. Commit to a properly resourcing the action plan.
3. Work more openly and collaboratively with local authorities, the voluntary sector and the private sector.
4. Provide transparency about how the UK Government’s £764,020 Innovation Fund will be used in Scotland to benefit those most at risk of exclusion.

Without action, Scotland risks falling further behind - and leaving vulnerable individuals excluded from healthcare, education, employment and connection.

It’s time to press refresh, Scottish Government. Show leadership. Create a plan. Take action. Leave no one behind.

Scotland has the vision, the evidence and the partners across sectors ready to advance digital inclusion. What’s lacking is leadership and delivery from the Scottish Government.

Feel the same way? Join the conversation on LinkedIn or reply privately to this email to share your stories of what’s working, what’s stuck and what’s at risk without clear Government action.

The context - in the following articles we set out in more detail:

David McNeill is director of development at The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO).