London Mayor urges more businesses to donate old IT equipment and help digitally excluded Londoners get online

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has today called on businesses and public bodies to help more digitally excluded Londoners get online by donating unwanted mobile phones, laptops and other IT equipment.

More than 100,000 Londoners have already been supported by Get Online London, the capital's first ever digital inclusion service set up by City Hall and the London Office of Technology and Innovation (LOTI), to ensure every Londoner has access to essential digital connectivity, skills, devices and support.

Digital exclusion is a major issue for many Londoners, impacting people's health, education and work outcomes. It can prevent people from fully participating in society as many essential services linked to vital areas including education, employment and social interaction are increasingly reliant on online platforms.

Around two million residents across the capital still have very limited digital engagement, such as lacking their own device or facing difficulties with online services. Over 250,000 are completely offline, with no internet access at all. [1]

Get Online London helps those across the capital who are digitally excluded by giving people the tools and knowledge to get online and participate in the digital world.

Working in partnership with the UK's leading digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation and the LOTI, Get Online London has established 1,106 Digital Inclusion Hubs across every borough in London, providing free internet for Londoners who couldn't otherwise afford to get online, which have so far distributed 88,500 data packages

Working in partnership with the UK's leading digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation and the LOTI, Get Online London has established a National Databank [2] across every borough, providing free internet for Londoners who couldn't otherwise afford to get online, which have so far distributed 88,500 data packages.

The innovative service ensures donated digital equipment is securely and sustainably refurbished, so it can then be given to those in need. As well as providing 7,119 devices to get Londoners online, it is helping organisations that donate to reduce e-waste and boost London's progress towards achieving net zero.

The Mayor has recently signed an agreement to donate more than 700 City Hall devices and he is calling on businesses and public bodies to join City Hall, the Metropolitan Police Service, Thames Water, London Councils and many London borough councils already contributing to Get Online London.

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Get Online London has been a huge success and I'm really proud that we've now reached more than 100,000 Londoners, working alongside the London Office of Technology and Innovation and the Good Things Foundation to tackle digital exclusion.

“Demand for devices still far outstrips supply, so we must do more. That's why I'm calling on businesses and public bodies to donate mobile phones, laptops and other IT kit to help us fix the digital divide and ensure access for all. Devices an organisation no longer needs can be essential lifelines for others, and together we can build a better and fairer London for everyone.”

Genta Hajri, Digital Innovation Delivery Lead, London Office of Technology and Innovation, said: “The ability to get online is such a basic and increasingly vital part of being fully included in society: to access education, work, look after our health and wellbeing and to connect with friends and family.

“We're delighted by the progress that's already been achieved with Get Online London and encourage organisations from the public and private sectors to support this work to ensure no Londoner is left behind.”

Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive Officer, Good Things Foundation, said: “Thousands of Londoners are still offline. They are unable to participate in everyday life - from accessing essential services, to finding work and connecting with their loved ones - leaving them feeling disconnected from the digital world we live in.

“Businesses who donate their disused devices and equipment to Get Online London, London's Digital Inclusion Service, are helping to tackle digital exclusion with zero tech waste and giving people the opportunity to get online. Help solve one of today's biggest problems, and together we can fix the digital divide for good.”  

To find out more about how to donate devices and support Get Online London, please visit: https://loti.london/get-online-london/

Notes to editors

[1] Research into Digital Inclusion in London is a comprehensive report outlining the approaches undertaken by the public, private and third sectors in tackling digital exclusion in the capital. Further details and the full report can be found at: https://loti.london/resources/research-into-digital-inclusion-in-london/

[2] There are 1,106 community-based Digital Inclusion Hubs across the capital, which form part of the National Digital Inclusion Network. The Network is made up of over 5,000 organisations across the UK. These organisations, called Digital Inclusion Hubs, are all working to fix the digital divide in their local communities. They deliver our digital inclusion services to help people access or learn how to use the internet for free. Further details can be found at: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-digital-inclusion-network.html

Like a foodbank but for mobile data, the National Databank provides free mobile SIM cards for people who can't access the internet. Launched in July 2021, the National Databank was founded to tackle data poverty and isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic. Further details can be found at: https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/our-services/national-databank.

A key element of Get Online London is the London Device Bank – a sustainable solution to digital exclusion that is good for the planet and will fuel digital inclusion in London. The device bank refurbishes old devices and gives them to people in need via Get Online London's network of community organisations. Further details can be found at: https://loti.london/blog/londons-device-bank-the-sustainable-solution-to-digital-exclusion/