Four ways to tackle digital inequality in Greater Manchester
Guest blog by Virgin Media O2 Business #StrongerTechEconomies #Manchester
33% of people in Manchester, or one in three, experience some form of digital exclusion.
As tech advances, many are being left behind.
Which is a problem. Because the benefits of digital change will only be a true success if they’re accessible to everyone.
That’s why we’ve been working closely with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) and created four commitments to the people of Manchester.
Four joint goals designed to build a brighter, digitally inclusive future for everyone.
1) Improving digital skills
Creating skills and providing the best possible employment for citizens topped the GMCA’s strategic priority list post-Covid.
Hardly surprising, since these are often seen as the two most essential conditions for levelling up society and promoting equal opportunities.
That’s why, working with GMCA, we:
Created at least 50 new apprenticeships
Funded four digital skills programmes with the Prince’s Trust and GMCA
Met a local employment target of 50%
2) Tackling homelessness
“While the city centre’s skyline is filled with cranes, our streets should not be crowded with people who have no roof over their head. Rough sleeping and homelessness are not inevitable consequences of a 21st century economy.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester
GMCA is absolutely determined to end homelessness and support everyone they can living on the streets.
So we’re doing all we can to help the team with homelessness support and by making sure shelters and community centres have free and enhanced connectivity.
More specifically, we’ve:
Donated £100,000 to the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity since 2020 to support the A Bed Every Night programme
Set up free connectivity for five years to a mixture of homeless shelters, charities and community centres
3) Empowering people
Empowering people starts with making sure everyone – whatever age, location or situation – benefits from digital progress.
Yet, at the moment, people living in 25% of Manchester neighbourhoods are at a very high risk of being digitally excluded. And that means they don’t see the benefits digital progress brings.
That’s why we’ve:
Given 567 school children digital kit bundles to support digital inclusion and home working
Provided seven schools with professional consultancy to improve their digital services
4) Helping the community
Only by getting communities onside can we make a real difference.
That’s why, with the GMCA, we’ve been working closely with public, private and voluntary sectors to create new initiatives.
We’ve also been investing in building better shared services, improving the quality of life for the people of Manchester yet delivering real value for money.
So far, with the GMCA, we’ve:
Provided 5,000 employee volunteering hours over the next five years to bolster community learning
Supplied two 10Gb managed internet circuits to GM contracting authorities in a major boost to public sector collaboration
There’s plenty more work to do
Of course, the ultimate goal of our work with GMCA is to help Greater Manchester deliver on its bold ambition to become a world class digital city.
And while better connectivity is crucial to delivering on this ambition, it’s never solely been about the tech.
It’s also about investing in people through a range of bold social initiatives. About giving people the skills and resources they need to get online and confidently access critical services.
That’s something we hope we’ve been able to help the GMCA with over the years.
And with the right strategy and investment in place, we hope we can carry on doing so for years to come.
Great Manchester Impact Day: Celebrating Tech and Digital Innovation
Welcome to the Greater Manchester Impact Day, where we proudly showcase a diverse collection of articles and videos highlighting the transformative power of technology and innovation.
On 3 December techUK will be publishing the latest edition of our Local Digital Index. The Index and report will analyse the strength on the tech sector across the UK in fields such as digital skills, digital infrastructure, finance and investment and digital adoption as well as making recommendations for how the tech sector can be strengthened across the entire UK.
techUK champions the tech sector throughout the UK. We work with local authorities, devolved government, and local and national policy makers to advocate for the tech sector in strengthening economic growth and resilience across the nations and regions. Visit the programme page here
Launch: Local Digital Index 2024
Today techUK has published the latest edition of our Local Digital Index. The Index analyses the strength of the tech sector across the UK in fields such as digital skills, digital infrastructure, finance and investment and digital adoption as well as making recommendations for how the tech sector can be strengthened across the entire UK.
Scotland Impact Day: Celebrating Tech and Digital Innovation
Welcome to the Scotland Impact Day, where we proudly showcase a diverse collection of articles and videos highlighting the transformative power of technology and innovation.
Great Manchester Impact Day: Celebrating Tech and Digital Innovation
Welcome to the Greater Manchester Impact Day, where we proudly showcase a diverse collection of articles and videos highlighting the transformative power of technology and innovation.
Call for submissions: Nations and Regions Impact Day – West Midlands
Our West Midlands Impact Day takes place on 4 December 2024.
Please submit content showcasing your projects and partnerships in West Midlands, how they are making a difference, contributing to the digital economy and strengthening the local tech ecosystems.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
Matt is leading techUK’s work with members and stakeholders across the UK to increase the Local Digital Capital across the UK’s nation and regions, build communities and to ensure that digital technology plays a key part the post-COVID-19 levelling-up recovery.
Prior to joining techUK, Matt worked for several national education charities and membership bodies to develop their regional partnerships with schools, academy trusts, local authorities, and other stakeholders. He’s also worked with local authority leaders and other stakeholders to engage communities, work with elected members and improve public services.
He holds a BA in Politics from the University of York and an MA in International Relations from the University of Leeds. Away from work he’s a keen football fan and golfer.
If you’d like to find out more about our work in the nations and regions please get in touch with Matt:
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa
Programme Manager, Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, techUK
Ileana Lupsa is the Programme Manager for Local Public Services and Nations and Regions, at techUK.
Ileana studied electronics, telecommunications and IT as an undergraduate, followed by an MSc in engineering and project management at Coventry University.
She refined her programme management expertise through her most recent roles working in the automotive industry.
Ileana is passionate about sustainability and creating a positive impact globally through innovation.
Tracy supports several areas at techUK, including Cyber Exchange, Cyber Security, Defence, Health and Social Care, Local Public Services, Nations and Regions and National Security.
Tracy joined techUK in March 2022, having worked in the education sector for 19 years, covering administration, research project support, IT support and event/training support. My most outstanding achievement has been running three very successful international conferences and over 300 training courses booked all over the globe!
Tracy has a great interest in tech. Gaming and computing have been a big part of her life, and now electric cars are an exciting look at the future. She has warmed to Alexa, even though it can sometimes be sassy!
