Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (Age UK CAP) has joined the national partner charity, Age UK, in its new campaign, Offline and Overlooked.
The campaign petition is calling on the Government to ensure that everyone has a choice to be able to access and use public services offline (by phone, letter, or face-to-face) as well as an online digital route.
The charity said: "In an era where public services are rapidly embracing digitalisation, Age UK, the national charity for older people, is leading a crucial initiative to ensure that no one is left behind.
"With 2.7 million – or 1 in 5 - older individuals in the UK not using the internet, the push towards digital services is creating barriers for accessing everyday necessities, from banking to making NHS appointments and even paying for car parking.
"At a local level, Age UK CAP calculates that around 260,000 older people in the East of England do not use the internet.
"This shift not only affects those who are not online but also individuals who prefer traditional methods for handling finances, bills, or health matters.
"We believe no one should be coerced into performing essential tasks online if they are not comfortable doing so.
"For older people choosing to stay offline, or those who lack the knowledge and skills, trust, equipment, or broadband access, the consequences are tangible.
"Age UK contends that this is a form of discrimination, hindering individuals' health, well-being, finances, and overall ability to participate fully in society."
Beverley Young, chief partnerships officer at Age UK Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “We’ve received complaints from older people who are deeply unhappy about organisations forcing them down a digital route and just want an actual person to speak to over the phone or face to face.
“We also know of some older people who simply gave up even trying to access the service they needed because they couldn’t manage a more technological approach, which is undemocratic as well as extremely sad.
“For a long time, we have supported people to apply for benefits to which they are entitled, and access Blue Badges and bus passes, which can be difficult to navigate.
“We should be using digital tech to expand choice for people, not restrict it, but unfortunately ‘digital by default' is beginning to hardwire discrimination against our older population and that's totally unacceptable.”
Age UK is urging the Government to take decisive action against digital discrimination. The charity is proposing the following:
- Legally requiring all public services, including the NHS and council services, to offer and promote an affordable, easy-to-access offline alternative.
- Ensuring that local governments receive sufficient funding to provide offline services.
- Allocating more funding and support to facilitate the transition for individuals who are not computer users but wish to be.
- Championing the development of a comprehensive, fully funded national Digital Inclusion Strategy, supporting people of all ages who aspire to go online (with the last such strategy dating back to 2014).
- Urging banks to expedite the rollout of Shared Banking Hubs to meet the high and ongoing demand for face-to-face banking services.
To sign the petition, individuals can visit Age UK's website or, for those who prefer offline methods, download a paper copy or request one by emailing campaigns@ageuk.org.uk or writing to Freepost Age UK campaigns (no stamp required).
For more information on Age UK Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/cambridgeshireandpeterborough/
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