Digital Divide Cuts off Social Tenants

Social housing continues to lag behind other tenures in terms of internet access, according to the latest data.  Figures from research firm Ipsos Mori show that in November 2012 only 68 per cent of local authority tenants and 64 per cent of housing association tenants had internet access. This is up from 60 per cent and 54 per cent respectively two years earlier, but significantly lower than mortgage holders, on 94 per cent, and private renters, on 88 per cent.  The data also show social tenants are less likely to have smartphones, with only 29 per cent of housing association tenants and 33 per cent of council tenants owning an internet enabled phone. For mortgage holders the 2012 figure was 68 per cent, up from 30 per cent in 2010.  Read more on Inside Housing.