GOVTECH


Switching on a digital nation


Minister targets support for most vulnerable to close digital divide


BY KEVIN O’SULLIVAN


Distributing a further 40,000 devices to the people who “most need them” is the top digital priority in the first 100 days of the new gov- ernment, according to ministers. Te nationwide Connecting Scot-


land programme – which has sought to get digital and data to the most vulnerable – will continue to be rolled out at pace over the summer. Nicola Sturgeon personally


committed to ensuring closing the digital divide was among her


6 | FUTURESCOT | SUMMER 2021


“priorities” for government in a speech to parliament last month. Te First Minister also pledged


to reopen the Digital Boost pro- gramme with an additional £25m to support businesses’ digital trans- formation efforts as an ongoing response to Covid. Te scheme, run via the Busi-


ness Gateway advisory service – has helped companies through the pandemic to harness technology as many pivoted to new operating models. Business minister Ivan McKee


said: “Digital technology has played a key role during the coronavirus pandemic and will continue to do so as we cautiously emerge from Covid-19 restrictions and re-ener- gise businesses. “We published an updated na-


tional digital strategy to help deliver economic recovery, meet climate change targets and ensure everyone in Scotland has the skills, connec- tivity and devices required to fully participate in our digital nation. “If people have access to devices and the skills and confidence to


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