The Government has launched the Digital Deal to help social housing tenants get online and improve their IT skills.

The scheme will enable landlords to bid for a share of £400,000, which they will need to match pound for pound with their own money, to provide low-cost internet access.

Communities minister, Don Foster, said: ‘The funding we are announcing will help many more social tenants get online – not all of them nor overnight, but this is another important step towards making this country one of the most digitally inclusive in the world.’

Social landlords have until 3 June to submit bids. The funding is being provided by the Department for Work & Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).