Digital divide affects up to 4 million pensioners

Nearly 4 million pensioners are routinely ripped off because they don't use the internet, according to new research from money saving experts. Official figures show that 4 in 5 of those who don't have access to the internet are aged over 65 - equal to 3.8 million of a total of 4.8 million in that age group. They face a raft of penalties designed to push customers to internet deals for essential services because these are cheaper for big companies to run. For example, phone companies make millions a year by charging up to £2.50 a time to send out paper statements.

Some telecom firms force homeowners to pay for broadband if they want a phone line - even if they don’t own a computer or tablet, and all 6 major energy firms impose fees of up to £94 for paying bills by cheque. British Gas has even prevented customers who don’t use the internet from getting its best energy tariff, while savers are deprived of £500 a year in interest because the best deals are online. Peter Rayner, NPC vice president said:"Older consumers without access to the internet are being punished, and this has got to stop."

From the NPC Campaign, May 2018.

How do we bridge the Generation Gap?

If you believe some media commentators and politicians the 'Generational Divide' is the most corrosive issue in our society. They say wealthy Baby Boomer pensioners have swallowed up all the wealth whist younger generations struggle with student debts, lowly paid jobs and inadequate housing.

The media often characterises pensioners as playing golf on lush courses or enjoying luxury cruises without a care in the world. I find it strange I don’t know one such person. However I do know older people who struggle with their health either through age, disability, loneliness, isolation and of course poverty. I also know young people who worry about their education and whether they or their family can afford it. I know many more who struggle to find a decent job with reasonable working conditions and pay and who are exploited by employers without an effective regulatory system to safeguard their rights and many without a union to fight for them.

With all this in mind it is heartening to see a more constructive analysis of the issues that can and should be tackled. It is also of interest how uniting across our generations might start to challenge the real inequality in our society between the vested interests a rich, powerful global elite, its hangers on and the rest of us. It is worth taking a moment to read the article here, and why not share your views in the comments box below this post?

Eddie Spence

ARMS National Vice Chair