Scottish Minimum Digital Living Standard: interim report

1 Executive Summary

This interim report outlines the first phase of a research project commissioned by the Scottish Government to explore the use of a Minimum Digital Living Standard (MDLS) for Scotland. It builds upon earlier UK-wide and Welsh MDLS studies. These explored what households with children require to fully participate in today’s digital world. The project employs deliberative focus groups with members of the public and stakeholder interviews to define digital inclusion needs specific to Scotland.

1.1 Context and Background

Digitalisation has transformed how people engage socially, economically and with essential services. However, digital inequalities, highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic, continue to disproportionately affect vulnerable groups, exacerbating social and economic disparities. In Scotland, challenges include limited fixed broadband coverage, with 98,525 households lacking access to fixed broadband services above 30MBs, although there is access to satellite broadband and 4G, and 15% of citizens choosing not to utilise fixed broadband (Ofcom, 2024). Rural areas face compounded issues due to infrastructure gaps, while urban areas exhibit a prevalence of digital and data poverty (Ofcom, 2024).

1.2 Key Findings

1.2.1 Digital Needs in Scotland

The study identified that Scottish MDLS needs are broadly comparable to UK and Welsh MDLS needs. However, there are key specific issues and differences that arise around both households meeting and the government utilising the MDLS in the Scottish context. It was noted that rural challenges can be much greater and more diverse in Scotland than in other areas of the UK. Notable challenges remain accessible internet, adequate devices, and essential digital skills. These components enable individuals and households to communicate, access education, engage in employment, and participate in society confidently and safely.

Focus groups with Scottish households underscored:

• A need for entry-level smartphones and large-screen devices (laptops or tablets) for households with children.
• Essential digital services, including reliable broadband and mobile data, tailored to urban and rural contexts.
• Access to support and resources that address functional, critical, and safety-related digital competencies.

1.2.2 Barriers to Digital Inclusion

Participants highlighted several challenges:

• Connectivity issues: Respondents from rural areas talked of experiencing inadequate broadband and mobile network coverage, while affordability remains a key concern nationwide. This is different from availability of service. Available access does not guarantee uptake or that affordable service is adequate to individual household needs.
• Affordability of goods and services: High costs of devices and data packages create significant barriers, particularly for low-income households.
• Skills deficit: Both parents and children require ongoing support to navigate technological advancements and online safety risks effectively.

1.2.3 Stakeholder Perspectives

Interviews with 32 stakeholders, including policymakers and civil society organisations, revealed strong support for a Scottish MDLS. Stakeholders emphasised:

• The importance of embedding digital inclusion across policy areas.
• The need for sustainable, long-term funding to support digital inclusion initiatives.
• Opportunities to align MDLS with existing standards, such as housing or care strategies, to enhance accessibility.

1.3 Recommendations from phase 1

To address these challenges and implement a Scottish MDLS effectively, the following actions follow from the evidence provided by stakeholders and families:

• Improve infrastructure: Expand availability, quality, and adequacy of connectivity in rural and remote areas, ensuring equitable access across Scotland.
• Enhance affordability: Provide high-quality social tariffs and fair pricing strategies to reduce financial barriers for families.
• Upscale proven initiatives: Expand existing programmes (as one example among many: the Inspire Learning Programme, which provides iPads to students, to standardise access nationwide).
• Holistic support: Develop flexible, community-based support and accessible, trustworthy resources to enhance digital skills and safety awareness.
• Policy integration and funding: Embed MDLS within broader social policies and ensure stable funding to support both civil society organisations and local authorities.

1.4 Next Steps

The second phase of research, involving interviews with families facing potential challenges in meeting MDLS, and further stakeholder engagement, will provide additional insights. A comprehensive report with detailed findings and recommendations is expected in April 2025.

1.5 Conclusion

This interim report underscores the importance of a Scottish MDLS in addressing digital exclusion and supporting social inclusion. While participants expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, challenges such as rural connectivity gaps, affordability, and the need for coordinated policy efforts must be addressed. The implementation of a Scottish MDLS would represent a critical step toward achieving equitable digital inclusion across the nation.