A project which will help some of the most disadvantaged people in Norwich to make the most of digital technology has been handed a boost of almost £450,000.

The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that Norwich City Council is one of more than 70 successful bidders for a share of £89.4m.

The money is for a project run by Norwich City Council and Voluntary Norfolk. The Digital Inclusion Working Group aims to get some of the most disadvantaged people in the city using the internet and other new technologies.

The hope is that, as those people get more confident with using technology, it will mean they need less direct support from other public services.

Local government minister Kris Hopkins said: 'The local authorities behind these projects have shown what can be done to improve the services people get, helping them to live independently and reducing demand for public services.

'By working with the local police, health bodies, Jobcentre Plus, voluntary groups and others they are eliminating waste and creating services which help people first time – not services which send people from pillar to post to get problems sorted.'

All of the bids were submitted by partnerships which set out how they would work together to eliminate duplicate services and provide more coherent support for people.

In total, the 73 successful bids involve 287 partners including 122 local authorities and 165 other organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors.

The money is the second government boost for the city this week. The government said Norwich will be one of eight cities to benefit from a £114m pot of cash to make roads safer for cyclists.

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