UK Internet access at more than forty percent

Approximately 10.7 million households in the UK could access the Internet from home over the January to March period, up from 9.8 million in the previous quarter.

An estimated 55 percent of adults in Great Britain have accessed the Internet at some time. This is equivalent to 25.2 million adults.

The study reveals that levels of access vary greatly between different parts of the UK.

In the financial year 2001-2002, only 31 percent of households in Wales and Northern Ireland respectively had Internet access.

In the North East of England, 32 percent of households had access, while in the South East and London around 48 percent of households had Internet access.

The study also indicates that among households with the highest incomes, access stood at 80 percent, while among the lowest-earning households access stood at 11 percent.
Around three-quarters of adults used the net to find information about goods or services, or to use email.

Sixty one percent used it for general browsing, while 38 percent of adults went online to order tickets, goods or services, or to search for information related to education.

The most popular online purchase amongst UK Internet users was flights and holiday accommodation, event tickets and music or CDs.

Around a quarter of Internet users who have never purchased over the Internet said that they either had security concerns which stopped them from buying online, or they preferred to shop in person.

Around 44 percent of non-Internet users in the UK said they were not interested in going online. This compares to 25 percent who stated that they had no means of access to the Internet and 23 percent who felt they had no reason to go online.