PlatformException(sign_in_failed, com.google.android.gms.common.api.ApiException: 8: null)

Using the flutter framework for android development, I received the following error during google signin:

PlatformException(sign_in_failed, com.google.android.gms.common.api.ApiException: 8: null)

While it wasn't obvious from the error message what the problem was, it turns out there was no network connection available. So if you get this error, check that you have access to the internet!!