By Liz Williams MBE, Chief Executive, FutureDotNow – 24 March 2025
Earlier today, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology published Digital Inclusion Action Plan: One Year On. It marks a significant moment of success for FutureDotNow’s campaigning work.
Amongst other updates, the department announced that from 2026 it will take responsibility for the Essential Digital Skills Framework and a new national survey to establish the nation’s levels of core digital capability. They have committed to updating the framework, so it reflects the reality of today’s digital world, including AI, engaging the public, industry and experts in this work.
This is a huge step forward, and it is deeply gratifying to see progress that FutureDotNow has worked so hard to influence.
Our long‑running campaign for government ownership of a future-proof Essential Digital Skills Framework – first set out in our 2023 Digital Skills Roadmap – has clearly landed.
Last year’s recommendations for how to embed AI into the framework, set out in our DSIT-funded Embedding-ai-into-the-essential-digital-skills-framework, also helped pave the way for today’s commitment.
This morning, I attended a meeting of the Digital Skills Council in my role as Deputy Chair, at which multiple government departments briefed on this and the broader future of skills frameworks and standards. The sense of purpose and momentum is clear.
I’m now excited to help maintain this momentum through our strong relationships in government. This includes our Digital Inclusion Innovation Fund project that’s helping people not in employment, education or training develop essential digital and AI skills to support progression into work. It’s showing strong signs of real impact and we will be sharing more on this at the Workforce Digital Skills Summit next month.
Today’s announcement is a powerful signal that our shared mission is making real strides. Thank you to every one of you who continues to support this work. There is more to do, and we are excited to keep driving forward with the same energy and purpose.
