One in four British homes is now using the internet according to figures released by the government.

A new survey by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that in the first quarter of this year there were six-and-a-half million households accessing the internet, which is double the total for the same period last year.

This is the first time this information has been included in the ONS’ Family Expenditure Survey which is published quarterly.

The survey – of 7,000 households – reveals that internet usage varies according to location, wealth and age of families.

Although more than twice as many people in Northern Ireland are logging on than last year, the figure is still 11% of the total, compared to 24% in south-east England.

Homes with families are also more likely to use the web as 35% of those with two or more children will have web access, compared to just 1% of single pensioners.

A Cabinet spokesperson has outlined government schemes to ensure that this “digital divide” does not get any bigger.

Key to their strategy is the opening of 700 IT access centres across the country by next year and internet access for all UK schools and libraries by 2002.