Research by Joseph Rowntree Foundation yields a confirmation that home internet makes it in the list of an average Briton’s necessities of modern life. This joins other necessities like mobile phones, holidays and fridge-freezer.
Joseph Rowntree Foundation, the social research charity, notes that a computer and an internet connection at home are no longer viewed as a luxury but rather part of the essentials that make up a modern life. According to the foundation’s latest Minimum Income Standard report, members of the public believe that a socially acceptable standard of living is needed to be achieved by people in the UK. The basis for this is the response of participants pointing out that people need to participate in society and one good way to do it is by having a computer and an internet connection at home. This is a sure way of interacting and becoming open to the possibilities of accessing to job opportunities and even availing of discounts on several services.
As the government’s official poverty line is set at 60% of the median income, the Minimum Income Standard differs where the latter looks beyond financial standing and concentrates on what a household should budget for. This tries to identify or recognize what people actually need to give them a feel of being part of society aside from the basic necessities that may include food, warmth and shelter. It is believed that apart from what enables them to live there should be other needs to fulfill to make them experience modern life.
The result confirmed that many believe that fridge-freezers, DVD players and mobile phones are basic part of experiencing modern life and therefore everyone should be in the position of affording them. It goes on to stress that people should have the convenience to at least buy birthday presents and definitely go on a week’s holiday in a year even if it is not abroad. The result noted however that a minimum budget should cover only public transport hence a car is not considered as an essential.
To include a computer and a home internet connection is to resonate the drive by the government to encourage people online. This is actually a campaign that is partly motivated by the want to update and modernize public services and at the same time a drive to promote digital inclusion. According to the Race Online 2012 strategy, it is calculated that 10 million people has never been online and that four million are among UK’s most socially excluded.
Rowntree goes on to reveal calculations like earnings of a single person before tax to afford a basic and acceptable standard of living as at least £14,400 and a couple having two children consequently need £29,200 before tax. The outstripping of food prices, council tax and public transport over official inflation have caused low income families to have diminished benefits and if such effects will not be countered, a rise in economic and social exclusion is likely to happen.
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