Blaenau Gwent is most 'digitally excluded' area in Wales (From South Wales Argus)

Blaenau Gwent is most 'digitally excluded' area in Wales

6:10pm Friday 11th January 2013 in News

BLAENAU Gwent has the highest “digitally excluded” adult population in Wales.

According to a new Welsh Government report, the county has the greatest proportion of adults in Wales – 45.7 per cent – who do not use technology compared to just 25.55 per cent in Cardiff and 41.62 per cent in Merthyr.

To counter this, Blaenau Gwent Council is to create two new roles to improve digital inclusion in the county borough.

The council agreed at a meeting on Wednesday, January 9, to approve funding for the two posts, which will see a newjoint initiative with Tai Calon and the Welsh Government to tackle digital exclusion.

The scheme aims to help residents increase their knowledge of computers and technology.

A recent Welsh Government research paper found households who do not use computers miss out on savings from paying bills and shopping online.

The report also found children’s educational performance can be improved by home access to computers and the internet, and people with good ICT skills earn between three and 10 per cent more than people without those skills.