Do YOU have trouble using apps for parking and NHS appointments? Campaigners call for offline options

Millions of older people hardly ever or never use the internet and could struggle with everyday tasks like paying for parking and getting NHS appointments, warns Age UK.

The charity has heard from people who had difficulty applying for a Blue Badge, which gives access to special parking bays and pick-up points if you are disabled or have a health condition affecting mobility.

It handed a 170,000-strong petition to 10 Downing Street earlier this week asking the Government to ensure older people aren't left behind by 'digital first' policies.

Age UK says it wants a 'clear guarantee' that all public services, including the NHS and local councils, will offer offline alternatives.

That could include in person services or assisted access for older people who can't or won't go online.

One in five or around 2.4million people aged 65-plus use the internet less than once a month or not at all, according to Age UK research.

The charity found that rose to 32 per cent for older Black people, 30 per cent for those living alone, 26 per cent for older Asian people, and 22 per cent for older women or those struggling financially.

Some 31 per cent or 4million older people said they had poor IT skills, and 22 per cent or 2.9million said lack of trust in the internet was why they didn't go online.

Age UK's latest survey found 12 per cent of over-65s don't use a mobile phone and 33 per cent don't use a smartphone.

And 7 per cent had reduced their previous internet use over the past year, reflecting how people might stop using it as they become older and less able.

The charity says it is concerned 'digital first' policies mean people will struggle to manage their own finances and healthcare as they age.

It is calling for the following from the Government.

- A guarantee all public services, including the NHS and local councils, will offer and promote affordable, easy offline ways to reach and use them.

- The NHS Ten Year Plan, which aims to 'shift from analogue to digital', will factor in the needs of older people who are not online.

- More funding and support for people who are not computer users but want to get online, targeted especially at areas of deprivation.

- The Digital Inclusion Action Plan will support those who will never be online, or who cannot use the internet safely and successfully.

- The Government will protect access to cash and banking by requiring banks to maintain face-to-face services, and ensuring people can carry on buying essential goods and services with cash.

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Sue, 73, from London, has very poor eyesight and cannot use computers or smartphones. She says: 'Everything is online these days. Trying to deal with some local authorities is an absolute nightmare if you don't have people around you who can do it for you.

'I shouldn't have to do that. I shouldn't have to give someone my personal information. I want to be treated equally.'

Mike, 76, says: 'The stress and frustration of trying to operate online - I simply go round in circles and it is very upsetting. It all makes me feel rejected and excluded.'

Janet, 74, says: 'I have given up on trying to get doctor appointments, so now just don't bother.

'Since I had a total knee replacement two months ago, I had to do without any pain relief at all as I could not contact them.

'And as my mobility is now severely restricted, I cannot visit them, so I just don't go.'

If you find it difficult to use online services or know someone who doesn't go on the internet, Age UK has help available - check its Digital Champions service here or call 0800 169 6565.

'We recognise that older people are more likely to be digitally excluded, which is why through our Digital Inclusion Action Plan we are ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age, whatever their age.' says a Government spokesperson.

'Under the Plan, major companies are helping people to get online and are donating pre-loved tech to those who need it.

'We are clear that digital public services need to be accessible - meaning there should always be alternative options like over the phone or in-person support, for those that need it.

'We also welcome action industry have taken to ensure 99 per cent of the UK now has access to a range of social broadband and mobile tariffs, starting from as low as £10 per month.'

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Technology is set to transform our lives for the better and the potential of the NHS App is 'truly exciting' but we must ensure no one is left behind, says Age UK's charity director Caroline Abrahams.

'Through our petition, older people who aren't able or choose not to be online told us they were deeply worried about being locked out of the essential services they depend on.

'Some said that they felt belittled and unfairly bullied into going online and that this, plus a frequent failure on the part of organisations of all kinds to offer them easily accessible alternatives, was positively ageist.

'Whether you agree with that or not, there's no doubt in our minds at Age UK that a poorly planned and delivered transition to digital by default would pose very real risks to the health, wellbeing, finances and inclusion of millions of older people.'

Abrahams says the Government's commitment to a digitally inclusive approach is really important to build public trust and ensure the NHS promise to be equally accessible to all continues to hold true.

'Some people will always be offline or only very basic users, for all kinds of different reasons. However inconvenient this reality may be, we have to factor it into how we design services.

'In some cases, for example, it may be possible to develop tech-based approaches that do not depend on an individual older person having to manipulate them themselves.'