Elderly in north-south web divide

More than double the number of those aged over 65 use online services in Surrey than in Tyne and Wear, according to analysis by Age UK.

It found only four areas in England where the percentage of older people hooked up to the web outnumbered those who do not use the internet.

David Mortimer, of Age UK, 
said older people with lower wealth, those living alone and those in relatively worse health are least likely to access internet services.

“It is concerning that in some parts of the country, more than twice as many older people are able to access the benefits of being online than in other areas, particularly as there appears to be a north/south divide around internet use amongst older people,” he said.

Age UK has called on the Government, local authorities and businesses to help more older people use the web.