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Vital telecare equipment used by nearly two million older and disabled people, as well as traffic lights and cash machines, could cease to operate unless councils get more support with preparing for the upgrade to next-generation digital networks.

“Gigabit-capable internet connections in every new build home in England will help bridge the digital divide and futureproof our communities, given the essential need for access to high-speed, reliable broadband."

“Fast and reliable internet access is an everyday necessity for households and it is essential that providers play their part by offering and raising awareness of their social tariffs, which should include reasonable broadband speeds."

“Access to fast and reliable digital connectivity is no longer a luxury, but a necessity, and councils have been a key player in the roll-out to the hardest to reach areas in the last five years."

“Tackling the digital divide will be important to levelling up in every community, ensuring everyone has the connectivity they need to thrive. We remain committed to working with government to help design an approach to roll out that will benefit from councils’ local expertise.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) has announced the nine successful councils in its new Digital Pathfinders Programme. 75 councils in England were shortlisted through a competitive bidding process. 

The Local Government Association (LGA) has launched its Digital Pathfinders Programme to help councils innovate and pioneer projects to advance digital inclusion, digital connectivity, and cyber security.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that access to a good quality, affordable broadband connection is vital for our communities and it is very concerning that people are priced out of this. We continue to call for a ‘social tariff’ to ensure a basic service is available at an affordable price to those most in need."

"Councils are committed to working closely with the Government to help deliver on its nationwide gigabit-broadband and mobile coverage ambitions."

"The Government should use the upcoming Spending Review as an opportunity to empower councils to place a local digital champion in every local area to help facilitate delivery and support providers to install gigabit-capable broadband as quickly as possible."