The extent of Birmingham’s digital confidence revealed amid ongoing cost-of-living crisis

New research from Good Things Foundation has uncovered a significant digital divide in the West Midlands, encompassing cities such as Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Coventry, with 13% of residents lacking broadband access at home – higher than the national average of 11%. This lack of access is exacerbating a lack of confidence when it comes to using the internet to manage money, navigate the job market and stay safe online amid the cost-of-living crisis.

In response, Good Things Foundation is urging West Midlands residents to refer friends and family facing digital exclusion to its pioneering Learn My Way courses, aimed at bridging this gap and empowering individuals with essential digital skills. The call comes ahead of Get Online Week (14 – 20 October), in a drive to help the region's share of the 8.5 million people nationwide who lack the most basic digital skills.

Managing money online a challenge for many in the West Midlands

One in 10 (10%) of West Midlands residents are not confident using the internet for banking and managing their finances, according to new research being released today by Good Things Foundation. This lack of confidence means they are missing out on valuable time savings, with 82% of respondents in the region agreeing that online banking saves them time.

More than half (58%) of West Midlands residents who have broadband access at home look for coupons and savings deals online, joint highest with the North West among all regions studied in the research, and above the national average of 55%. As a result, online shoppers in the West Midlands are saving an average of £3.52 per purchase compared to shopping in-person.

Lack of digital skills hampers employment prospects

The research showed that nearly a third (31%) of West Midlands residents are not confident using the internet to compete in the job market. Furthermore, this is the highest percentage of residents not confident of all regions studied, compared to 27% in the North West and 23% in London. This is despite 58% stating that if they were to look for a job, they'd start online.

When at work, 22% stated that they don't feel confident using the web to advance their careers, despite an overwhelming 90% considering good digital skills to be important for their job.

Interestingly, 45% of West Midlands workers believe that the rise in remote working has expanded job opportunities, slightly above the national average of 44%.

Struggles with staying safe in the digital world

The findings also revealed a concerning gap in online safety confidence, with 14% of West Midlands residents not feeling confident in their ability to stay safe and secure online.

As many as 62% worry about the security of their personal details online, while 30% feel they frequently encounter online scams. Almost one in ten (9%) are unable even to identify an online scam, putting them in a potentially vulnerable position.

Helen Milner, OBE, Group Chief Executive of Good Things Foundation, comments: “These findings underscore the urgent need to fix the digital divide in the UK. As the cost-of-living crisis continues, digital skills are more than just convenient – they are the foundation for full participation in society, enabling people to manage finances, find employment, and stay safe online. We’re calling on the public to help us reach those who need support by referring friends and family to our free Learn My Way courses.

Hafsha Dadabhai Shaikh, Director at SmartLyte - Get Families Talking, part of the National Digital Inclusion Network, says: "The digital divide is still a huge problem here in the West Midlands - we are seeing people visit us who are lacking the confidence to use digital skills in their everyday life. It's affecting their finance and employment opportunities as well as their health and relationships. We regularly see how digital skills and platforms like Learn My Way are improving people’s confidence and making a huge difference in their lives. I strongly urge everyone to take advantage of these free digital skills courses, and encourage their social circle to do the same. Get Online Week is such an exciting opportunity for us to host impactful events, tackle the digital divide head-on and spread crucial awareness.

With the clear benefits of digital skills in shopping, banking, job hunting, and staying safe online, it's crucial that all West Midlands residents have access to digital skills training. However, the research found only 3% of West Midlands residents are aware of Good Things Foundation, significantly lower than the national average and highlighting a critical need for increased awareness of charities that can support them in developing these essential digital skills.

Good Things Foundation is highlighting these issues ahead of Get Online Week, which runs from 14th – 20th October. During the national campaign, hundreds of community organisations across the West Midlands and the UK will be holding events to help people improve their digital skills.

The charity is also calling on the public to refer friends and family facing digital barriers to the free Learn My Way courses. Learn My Way is a free online platform that helps people gain basic digital skills and build confidence in using the internet. It is a key component of the National Digital Inclusion Network, which comprises over 5,000 organisations supporting their local communities with digital inclusion.

The Learn My Way platform offers free courses addressing the West Midlands' critical needs, including "Employment and work" to address the region's high lack of confidence in online job hunting, and "Spending money online" to help residents make the most of their strong interest in finding online deals and coupons.