Digital Transition ‘Not Working For Everyone’, New Report Warns

A new report from The Connection Project, Misconnected: How the UK can choose a better digital future, warns that the UK’s shift to digital services is not working equally for everyone – with important implications for rural communities.

While the UK performs strongly on digital infrastructure overall, the report finds that participation, trust and confidence lag behind comparable countries. For rural areas, this reflects ongoing challenges around connectivity, affordability and access to support, which can limit how easily people engage with digital services.

Between 14 and 22 million people are estimated to face at least one barrier to using digital services. These include limited connectivity, low confidence and reliance on others to complete tasks. These are issues that can be more acute in rural areas where services are more dispersed and alternatives are fewer.

The report also highlights how multiple changes including full-fibre rollout, landline migration and the increasing digitisation of essential services, are happening at the same time. In rural areas, where infrastructure and access can already be uneven, this cumulative shift risks widening existing gaps if not carefully managed.

Connectivity remains a key issue. While national coverage has improved, the report notes that not all households can access reliable or affordable services, with rural and remote areas more likely to experience patchy coverage or slower connections.

Looking internationally, the report suggests that countries achieving better outcomes treat digital participation as a shared national priority, combining infrastructure investment with clear service standards, coordinated transitions and accessible support.

The report concludes that digital participation is now a fundamental requirement for modern life, and that a more coordinated, inclusive approach will be needed to ensure all communities, including rural ones, can benefit.