In his latest blog, Tom McGrath reflects on the future of digital inclusion policy and shares details of our new event, Reconnecting Britain.

In March 2024, we convened a private roundtable to discuss the future of digital inclusion policy. Here, we share a short overview of what we discussed in the roundtable and some of the key themes that emerged.

Whenever the UK General Election ends up taking place, 2024 is inevitably going to be a year in which civil society, policymakers and politicians are looking for new solutions to our social challenges.

How we tackle digital exclusion should be no exception.

A new report outlining how community innovation helps Britain build strong foundations for innovation.

In the last few weeks of 2023, there were a few announcements which could have major implications for the delivery of affordable broadband services.

Take a minute to think about how and where you’re reading this. You might be using your mobile data, the train station's free wifi, hotspotting or using your homebroad. The ease of access, the speed of the connection, concerns about privacy and data sharing will no doubt impact your experience. Then there’s the most important consideration: the cost.

AI regulation is not just a technical issue, it’s a social one. Any future Labour government must put public interest first and move on from the corporate capture that is baked into the Conservative’s approach. This starts by empowering communities.

There is no responsible AI without community power

Promising Trouble is seeking an entrepreneurial, values-driven Chair to support us through our next stage of growth.

Promising Trouble’s Executive Director Rachel Coldicutt OBE has been at CogX Festival and Partners for a New Economy, explaining why ethics still matter in the age of AI.

Affording good quality, home internet is rarely included in this discussion, but it is unarguable that a reliable home connection is essential for almost all aspects of life, from socialising to work, shopping to accessing healthcare and other public services.

The summer has been busy for our Community Connectivity project, which is exploring how access to the Internet can improve people’s health outcomes. One of the things we’re exploring in the project is how to make Internet access free or extremely affordable; as part of that we’re working out how to provide community-owned connectivity.

It is now hard to argue that internet access is not an essential part of everyday life. Carrying out the tasks of daily life, enjoying entertainment and socialising without reliable and affordable connectivity is a serious challenge. Yet we know that millions of people either don’t have the internet at home, or are struggling to afford their broadband bills.

We are delighted to announce the next phase of our partnership with Impact on Urban Health. Over the next two years, we will carry out a programme of research, community engagement, policy development and influencing.

Promising Trouble is looking for a freelance economist to support us with modelling the affordability of internet connectivity. Deadline for expressions of interest: Tuesday 7 March, 09:00 GMT

Promising Trouble is looking for a freelance Inclusion Research Producer to support us with designing and implementing inclusive practices in our Community Tech programme. Deadline for expressions of interest: Tuesday 7 March, 09:00 GMT

This post shares our emerging thinking about some of the big themes we found through our research, and how they point towards areas for change. Our overall aim for the project is to understand how and why young people are using online services and support to help them with their essential needs, like health, housing and money, and to identify where there are opportunities for strategic change to make support more accessible and youth-led. Seven areas stood out to us from the interviews and workshop as opportunities.

We share our emerging observations from our research looking into essential digital support for young people. Our overall aim for the project is to understand how and why young people are using online services and support to help them with their essential needs, like health, housing and money, and to identify where there are opportunities for strategic change to make support more accessible and youth-led.

Promising Trouble is looking for a freelance community building specialist to facilitate the creation of a Community Tech community of practice.

Promising Trouble is looking for a freelance strategic comms and influencing specialist to support the development of the Community Tech programme of work.