The statistics also show a digital refusenik attitude is growing among Britons, of those households that do not have internet access, a larger proportion of respondents said they do not need it or do not want it than two years ago. While other reasons for eschewing the web — such as access or equipment costs being too high — showed little or no increase.

Could the digital refusenik attitude be a response to being lectured daily by the Nanny State – top down fashion – and bearing in mind that Nanny knows best?

Moreover, I wonder how many households are unable to sign up for internet access with ISPs because of a poor credit history or because they are in temporary accommodation and, finally, how much of the £700 per household allowance will end up augmenting the bank balances of rich, powerful multinationals such as Microsoft and BT? I think we should be told.