MORE than one in five (22 per cent) of people in Northern Ireland lack the basic digital skills that could help them save money by banking and shopping online, a new report has found.
And this lack of digital capability is putting them at a higher-than-average risk of losing out on savings as they shop and bank (those with high digital capabilities are saving twice as much and twice as often than those with lower capability).
The figures - which put Northern Ireland below the UK average - are contained in the latest Lloyds Bank UK Consumer Digital Index
Jim McCooe, Lloyds Banking Group's ambassador in Northern Ireland, said: “Digital capabilities can make such a positive impact on peoples’ financial health. We want to make sure that the pace of technological change doesn’t leave anyone behind.
“It’s why we have around 650 Digital Champions, helping people to improve their online skills. We believe it’s this type of face-to-face support that is now needed to help people improve their digital capability.”
As part of its 'Helping Britain Prosper' plan, Lloyds Banking Group has pledged to provide face-to-face digital skills training (including online banking) for 2.5 million individuals, small businesses and charities by 2020.
