SNP MSP for Ayr, Prestwick & Troon, Siobhian Brown, visited the Troon Banking Hub to hear about the Virgin Money Databank.
The databank is part of their work to help eradicate the poverty premium. The poverty premium is the additional charge paid by those on lower incomes to access essential goods and services. With so much of the modern world operating online, digital exclusion is a major contributor to the poverty premium. People who cannot access the internet cannot then access the best deals and discounts online.
In order to help combat this Virgin Money, working alongside the Good Things Foundation, have transformed their stores and banking hubs into databanks. This means that anyone struggling with data poverty, even if not a Virgin Money customer, can come into our store or hub (on the days we are present in the hub) and receive a free SIM card with 25GB of data each month for up to a year to help them connect online.
Since November 2023, they have distributed more than 1,000 SIM cards across the UK and helped make a genuine difference to people’s lives.
Commenting, SNP MSP Siobhian Brown said:
“It was great to catch up with Matthew and Cheryl from Virgin Money to hear about their excellent work to help eradicate data poverty and digital exclusion.
“The scheme which sees people struggling with data poverty receiving a free SIM card will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable in my constituency but allowing them to apply for jobs, attend online healthcare appointments, and keep in touch with loved ones abroad.
“During the meeting I was told that there has been a low uptake of this service in Ayr, Prestwick & Troon. So, I would like to encourage anyone in my constituency who is struggling with data poverty to pop into the Virgin Money store in Ayr or the Troon Banking Hub on a Thursday to find out if they are eligible for a free SIM card.”
Notes:
*to be eligible for free mobile data through the National Databank, individuals must be:
18+ years old and from a low-income household
AND/OR have no access or insufficient access to the internet at home
AND/OR have no or insufficient access to the internet when away from the home
AND/OR cannot afford an existing monthly contract or top up