We have been selected as one of five start-ups to work with Wayra UK to eliminate the poverty premium within the next 10 years. The poverty premium is when people on lower incomes have to pay more due to a lack of credit and consumer choice. On average, it costs the poorest in society £490 a year. Providing more choice and better purchasing options means that families have more cash in their pockets, a vital first step to improving their lives and something that we believe is directly linked to digital inclusion.
If you look at a single parent on a low-income threshold, who must rely on a prepayment meter for gas and electricity, then the poverty premium raises considerably. For instance, some barriers such as paying £5 to receive a print copy of your electricity bill compared to an online version can be quite significant. Furthermore, this is not an issue that affects only a few. A study conducted by Bristol University showed that only 1% of low-income households were not incurring some form of poverty premium.
When we get people online, we offer them choice of what they consume and an alternative avenue to generate income. They can negotiate energy bills, readily access bank statements and they can even look around for the best interest rates on loans. When we work with people to get them online, we teach them how to dispute bills, how to use comparison websites and introduce them to apps that help them save and keep track of their income.
Indeed, going digital is ranked as the number one priority for CIOs of banks, over the past two years, have seen 1,000 high street banks close. We have a responsibility to make sure that the 14 million people who are currently living in poverty in the UK are not left behind in a world that increasingly favours the digitally literate.
(18.06.19)
In a massive boost to our ongoing expansion plans, we have secured £1.5 million in funding, which will be used to hire key staff and make technology upgrades that will allow us to scale our operations and impact. We work … Read more
(27.07.18)
Q: Can you tell us about yourself and your role? A: I’ve worked with Digital Unite for nearly ten years. My current role is managing director. Previously, I worked with housing providers and charities to help provide solutions for … Read more
(27.07.18)
Over the past month, Nesta has been busy introducing grant winners of the Inclusive Economy Partnership (IEP) to business and civil society partners. We Are Digital, as one of the companies to receive backing from the IEP, was introduced to … Read more
(27.07.18)
July saw Matthew Adam, CEO of We Are Digital, was invited to attend an Inclusive Economy Partnership (IEP) reception at Downing Street. The event served as a celebration of businesses which are working to ensure all communities, and the individuals … Read more
(27.07.18)
In February 2018, energy watchdog Ofgem announced that it would be raising its maximum price cap by 5.5%. The proposals, which could come into force as early as next year, are likely to be worrying news for some of Britain’s … Read more
18.06.19
In a massive boost to our ongoing expansion plans, we have secured £1.5 million in funding, which will be used to hire key staff and make technology upgrades that will allow us to scale our operations and impact. We work … Read more
27.07.18
Q: Can you tell us about yourself and your role? A: I’ve worked with Digital Unite for nearly ten years. My current role is managing director. Previously, I worked with housing providers and charities to help provide solutions for … Read more
27.07.18
Over the past month, Nesta has been busy introducing grant winners of the Inclusive Economy Partnership (IEP) to business and civil society partners. We Are Digital, as one of the companies to receive backing from the IEP, was introduced to … Read more
Interested in finding out more about our courses, have a passion to become a tutor or you’ve got a question but not sure who to ask? Then get in touch with us.
Phone: 03333 444019
Email: info@we-are-digital.co.uk