For immediate release:

LOCAL MSP VISITS RUTHERGLEN VIRGIN MONEY BRANCH TO HEAR MORE ABOUT DIGITAL EXCLUSION CAMPAIGN​​​ 

Local MSP Clare Haughey visited the Rutherglen branch of Virgin Money to learn about their National Databank programme.

The bank have teamed up with the Good Things Foundation aiming to help millions of people facing digital exclusion throughout the ​UK to access their National Databank.

The National Databank works like a foodbank, but provides free mobile data for people in need.

Through the scheme, which was founded by Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2, digitally excluded people – anyone that doesn’t have regular access to the internet – can visit their nearest Virgin Money store and pick up an O2 sim card loaded with 20GB of free data – enough for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month.

The free data allowance renews every month for six months.  

People don’t need to be a customer of Virgin Money to access the support.

Data compiled by the Good Things Foundation shows that although 77% of people in the UK believe having internet access is an essential need, 1 in 14 households have no home internet access at all and more than 2.5 million households struggle to afford broadband.

Commenting, Clare Haughey MSP said:

“Thanks so much to the staff at Virgin Money in Rutherglen for having me along to hear more about how they can support local people through their National Databank scheme.

“I know through my own constituency casework that for many people who are struggling financially having to pay for a mobile phone or broadband is often not deemed a priority.

“However, without access to the internet, they can be cut off from family or friends and they can be prevented from making savings when buying goods online that are often cheaper than in-store.

“Amidst a cost of living crisis, Virgin Money’s National Databank could be a lifeline for local people.”

James Peirson, General Counsel & Purpose Officer at Virgin Money, said:

“Digital exclusion is a real issue in the UK and one that needs prioritising. For many low or no-income households, paying for broadband is often seen as a luxury that they can’t afford, but in reality, it is an essential purchase – especially in this digital age.

“That’s why we are proud to support the vital work of Good Things Foundation by making the National Databank programme easier for people in need to access across the UK.”

To be eligible to receive data from the National Databank, the individual must be 18+ years old and be from a low-income household, as well as either having no access or insufficient access to the internet at home, no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home, and/or cannot afford their existing monthly contract or top up.

ENDS