Thursday, 19 November 2009 01:17 Regular access to the internet is a problem for 37 per cent of all adults in the UK, suggests a survey published today by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE).

NIACE’s Annual Survey of Digital Participation, which sampled 4,917 adults aged 17 and over, also reveals 32 per cent lack access to a computer.Although 85 per cent of adult learners said they have regular access to digital technologies, the number using the internet for learning or finding information for their learning has dropped by eight per cent in one year.

"When universal broadband access is already established as a governmental goal for 2012, these findings show that there is still a long way to go. Digital technology is vital for day to day life and will only become more so," says Rachel Thomson, a senior programme director at NIACE.

"People need to be empowered so they can gain more from all media in terms of education, information, entertainment and communications. Everyone should be given the chance to become informed, active and engaged in the digital world, through motivation and opportunities to learn."