Aberdeen residents will be able to access free sim cards through a new programme which aims to end data poverty.
Virgin Money has teamed up with the charity Good Things Foundation to provide the sim cards at its Union Street branch.
The charity’s National Databank Programme has been founded in partnership with Virgin Media O2 to provide free mobile data, texts and calls for people across the UK.
Eligible over 18s who are from a low-income household can request a voucher from one of the registered community support groups.
These can then be taken to the branch in exchange for a 20GB sim which will provide enough data for 220 hours of internet browsing each month.
‘One step closer to ending poverty’
Hugh Chater, chief commercial officer at Virgin Money, said: “For many low or no income households, paying for data is simply another bill that they can’t afford.
“Without it however, they are missing out on accessing essential money management and support services such as benefits calculators, online job boards and price comparison sites that can help to reduce their monthly outgoings.
“Through our new partnership with Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2, we are working to tackle this digital divide and taking one step closer to ending the poverty premium.”
Helen Milner, group chief executive at Good Things Foundation, said the partners are aiming to address the issue of data poverty “once and for all”.
She added: “Having enough data in our increasingly digital society is not a nice to have, it’s an absolute essential.
“If you’re not online you can’t save money on products and services, help your children participate in home-learning, or apply for jobs.
“There are two million households struggling to afford internet access in the UK today, and 10 million adults lack the most basic digital skills.”
Conversation