The internet is now a vital hub of activity that cannot be overlooked as anything but an indispensable commodity, according to an online expert.

Michael Phillips, a spokesman for BroadbandChoices.co.uk, stated that a new report has highlighted just how important a resource it is for families at all levels.

This week, Digital Family O2 released a report which found that 40 per cent of families are likely to cut back on food and utility bills before even touching the internet, such it the dependence which all ages have on the technology.

Mr Phillips explained: "This confirms our own research and feedback from customers that the internet is now central to family life: from communicating with friends and relatives; through entertainment with games and video; to helping with children's education and homework."

The report carried out by Digital Family O2 also found that 60 per cent of parents claim their family communicates better with one another as a result of emails and other online applications.

In a recent survey of SMEs for Connect, the two most important benefits of outsourcing were guaranteed response times and allowing in-house IT staff to concentrate on more strategic issues.