Older people and the less well-off are to be the target of an ambitious campaign to get 7.5 million new internet users online by 2014.

The Government has set a target of 60 per cent reduction in the 12.5 million people who are not online in the UK. The target underpins a new drive to reduce the digital divide in the Government’s National Digital Participation Plan published this week.

The Plan is supported by the skills and expertise of the Consortium for the Promotion of Digital Participation - 60 public and private organisations that work to help people gain the confidence to get online, reap the benefits the internet brings and get the most from today’s digital society.

Announcing the plan, Minister for Digital Britain Stephen Timms said: “Being online is crucial for participation in the 21st Century society – the internet unlocks a wealth of information and services, giving people more choice in life and access to a range of education, health and financial opportunities.

“Bringing people online for the first time and enabling people to interact more creatively will enrich our society and we will ensure no one is left behind,” he added.