THE Scottish Government is working on plans to roll-out digital access to vulnerable people across the country, helping them to get plugged in to essential services and make social contact with friends and family throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Research shows that Scotland faces a deep “digital divide” with those living in poverty less likely to have access to technology at home, such as laptops, tablets, smart phones and broadband, or the skills to use it.

Groups that are particularly disadvantaged include older people, those with a disability, carers, single parent families or others living below the poverty line.

It is argued the issue has been become critical due to lockdown restrictions which mean many services and support, as well as contact with friends and family can now only be accesses digitally.

An estimated 800,000 people in Scotland don’t use the internet at home and some of the most vulnerable people of all ages are the most likely to be amongst them.

Charities told the Sunday National they were looking to set up essential services online only to find that those they most needed to reach were often not able to access help digitally. Most appointments are now being offered via video link, with chat facilities and email offered as the best ways of getting in touch.

In response the Scottish Government has been working with the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisation (SCVO) as well as charities and businesses to ensure those highlighted as vulnerable get access to digital devices, broadband and training.

Aaron Slater, SCVO’s digital participation manager, said: “This came about from a Scottish Government initiative as there are real concerns about those who are digitally excluded.

“There is now a real concerted effort in terms of a co-ordinated emergency response. It’s first a case of identifying who are the people that we need to reach, getting devices to them and then finding a way to train them.”

It is expected that the first group to be targeted will be those identified as being most threatened by Covid-19 by the NHS, with training on newly delivered devices most likely to be tablets. Training will be organised over the phone. Secondary groups are likely to be those who are isolated including carers, and people with disabilities. “We’ll be looking at what groups we know need help and how we can best reach them,” added Slater.

Public Finance Minister Ben Macpherson said: “I want to thank all of the organisations that have come together at a very difficult time to make this possible. Businesses big and small across Scotland are working with public and third sector bodies to identify the problems people face in getting online and are working together to resolve these, to ensure that in a digital Scotland no one is left behind.”