The latest Lloyds Bank UK Consumer Digital Index has revealed that more than one in five (23 percent) people in the North East lack the Basic Digital Skills that could help them save money by banking and shopping online. The figure is slightly higher than the national average of twenty-one percent.
It means those in the North East are at a higher than average risk of losing out on savings as they shop and bank. The study revealed that those with high digital capabilities are saving more than twice as much and nearly twice as often than those with lower capability.
The Index, which measures both skills and behaviours of participants, also showed that twelve percent of people in the region don’t use the internet – a third higher than the national average (9 percent). Worryingly, the research revealed that twenty-nine percent of people could not cope financially for more than one month without their regular income, only slightly below the UK average of thirty percent.
Nick Williams, Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for the North, said: “Basic Digital Skills and access to the internet can make a real difference to people’s financial wellbeing, so it’s encouraging to see the majority of people across the North East getting online.
“But for some, going digital and getting online is a challenge, so we all need to support each other to make sure that no-one falls behind and we can all benefit. That’s why we have more than 2,500 Digital Champions in the North to help individuals and organisations to improve their financial health through better digital skills.
As part of its Helping Britain Prosper Plan, Lloyds Banking Group has pledged to provide face-to-face digital skills training (including online banking) for 2.5 million individuals, small businesses and charities by 2020.