A careless clash with a traffic calming kerb resulted in a wrecked tyre this week. Not having a spare, and unable to use the foam repair kit provided with the vehicle, I attempted to call the AA. After some inexplicable getting a phone signal and intermittent internet cover I was advised getting help would take “a couple of minutes” online. Just entering my precise location with chilled fingers took longer than that. And that was with a smartphone. Data from Ofcom suggests 28% of over 75s don’t have one. Campaigners are railing against “the tyranny of the apps”, which are now used for everything from food shopping to parking. Ron Delnevo, who chairs the campaign committee at lobby group the Payment Choice Alliance laments: “In this country we’re being treated like sheep. We’re always being told there’s no alternative.” But when a new smartphone can set you back hundreds of pounds, it is “an expensive passport to participate”.
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