Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics 2010 Internet Access Survey reveal there are more than 9 million (18 per cent) adults in the UK who have never used the internet. 

Although 60 per cent of adults are now said to use the internet every day, or almost every day, the issue of the so-called ‘digital divide’ remains a major concern with those who are unable, or unwilling, to do so being denied the opportunity to access information, services or goods offered online.

Other key findings from the survey include: 

• 60 per cent those aged 65 and over had never used the internet.  This compared to 22 per cent of those aged 55-64 and just 1 per cent of 16-24 year olds.
•  Between January and April 2010, 19.2 million households in the UK (73 per cent) had internet access, an increase of 0.9 million on the previous year and an increase of 5 million since 2006
• 31 per cent of internet users connected via a mobile phone, up from 23 per cent in 2009
• 31 million people bought or ordered goods or services online in the last 12 months
• 98 per cent of people with an income of more than £41,600 had used the internet. The rate of internet use decreased in line with income: 69 per cent of adults with an income of less than £10,399 had used the internet.
• E-mail was the most popular online activity across all age groups, with 88 per cent of 16-24 year old internet users and 87 per cent of users aged 65 and over.
• 54 per cent of internet users use online banking facilities, equivalent to 42 per cent of all UK adults.
• Just 45 per cent of adults without any formal qualifications had used the internet, compared with 97 per cent of those with a degree.
• London was again the region with the highest level of household internet connections, at 83 per cent. The North East had the lowest at 59 per cent.