A PETITION calling for everyday services to remain accessible to older people without the internet has attracted tens of thousands of signatures.
There is a rapid increase in public services moving towards a completely digital landscape, which makes it progressively difficult or impossible for those without internet or limited knowledge of how to use it.
This includes booking a GP appointment and applications for Blue Badges.
A total of 4.7million older people don’t have the basic skills needed to use the internet successfully and as a result, Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire is campaigning for the protection of offline routes to these everyday services.
A spokesperson for Age UK said: “Public services are rapidly ‘going digital’.
“If like 2.3 million older people in the UK you aren’t an internet user, it’s becoming harder – and in some cases impossible – to access day-to-day necessities such as banking, making NHS appointments or even just paying for car parking.
“But it’s not just those who aren’t online. Plenty of people would just prefer to handle their finances, their bills or their health matters in person or over the phone.
“No one should feel forced to perform important tasks online if they don’t feel comfortable.
“Older people who aren’t or choose not to be online are being locked out of essential services. It’s discrimination – plain and simple.”
The Age UK petition has attracted some 63,000 signatures and counting.
Visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/our-impact/campaigning/offline-overlooked/ to sign the petition.
