Virgin Money research reveals a third of people know someone without data or internet access

Research reveals friends & family are experiencing digital exclusion

New research commissioned by our supporter Virgin Money reveals almost a third of people (29%) know a friend or relative who doesn’t have access to data/the internet¹, which has often prevented them from completing simple tasks like registering for a service, purchasing an item, or booking travel.

Those who are connected are increasingly dependent on the internet

The research also found that one in five people (20%) in Britain could only cope a maximum of two hours without access to the internet while over one in ten (11%) can only cope less than an hour.

During the weekend a fifth of people in Britain spend between four to five hours using data enabled services (such as browsing the internet, scrolling through social media etc.); 14% use it for over 10 hours.

The most common everyday tasks people complete online (via any internet-enabled device) include:

• Checking the weather (68%)
• Banking (67%)
• Googling/searching for information (65%)
• Reading the news (60%)
• Getting directions (52%)

Virgin Money's mission to fix the digital divide

The research was carried out as part of the bank’s ongoing work to help reduce the digital divide and raise awareness of the impact of data poverty. 

Data from our Digital Nation infographic shows that although 92% of people in the UK think most essential services require internet access², 4 in 10 (45%) households with children in the UK today do not meet the Minimum Digital Living Standard and 8.5 million people lack the most basic digital skills to use the internet.

Experiencing digital exclusion: 'SIM-Free Saturday' challenge

In response to this and as part of its work to tackle data poverty, Virgin Money recently completed its first SIM-Free Saturday, a new company-wide challenge that encourages colleagues to take part in an internet detox and experience the impact of digital exclusion for themselves.

During the challenge, which took place on 10 August, Virgin Money colleagues were asked to live a day without data and complete a series of tasks that could usually be done quickly and easily online, without using the internet for help. 

This included checking their bank balance, finding out the cost of a train ticket between their nearest national rail station and London King’s Cross or London St.Pancras and checking the weather forecast for their local area for the next seven days, plus others.

James Peirson, general counsel & purpose officer at Virgin Money, said: “Digital exclusion is a real issue in the UK. For many low or no-income households paying for regular internet access is another bill they simply can’t afford but, in this digital age, it’s essential. 

“We designed the SIM-Free Saturday challenge to help showcase just how important bridging the digital divide is. We’re thankful to those colleagues who took part and have had a great response, with many saying it has really helped them to experience the importance of our drive to support digital inclusion and better understand why we’re working hard to reduce data poverty.”

Raising awareness of digital exclusion

SIM-Free Saturday is just one in a number of initiatives Virgin Money is carrying out to help raise awareness of and reduce the digital divide.

Virgin Money is the first and only bank in the UK to take part in the National Databank programme - founded by Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2 - which works like a foodbank, but provides free mobile data, texts and calls for people in need. 

Through the National Databank, digitally excluded people (whether they are a Virgin Money customer or not) can visit their nearest Virgin Money store or banking hub and pick up an O2 SIM card loaded with 25GB of free data, which renews every month for six months.

Colleagues across the bank also work to raise awareness and secure donations to our National Device Bank, which works alongside the National Databank to provide free smart devices, including laptops, mobiles and tablets, to people who are unable to afford them. 

Virgin Money are also working with us on Learn My Way, our free beginners' online digital skills platform, to provide training to anyone looking for help to improve their digital skills.

For more details about Virgin Money, including store and banking hub locations visit: https://uk.virginmoney.com/.

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¹ Research carried out with 2,000 UK adults by OnePoll in July 2024

² Public First (2024), Poll for Good Things Foundation