Get Online Greater Manchester: digital inclusion

Transcript:Get Online Greater Manchester: digital inclusion:
Get Online Greater Manchester: digital inclusion pilot for social housing residents John Steward, Head of Digital Infrastructure, Greater Manchester Combined Authority #FixTheDigitalDivide 1 GMCA Social Housing Pilot Local Government and Review of findings so far Simeon Yates, University of Liverpool Topics to cover today Initial insights from Local Government perspectives Data from interviews with GMCA Local Government Some data from interviews with Welsh Local Government Examples from other areas Review of findings from work so far Concluded work with Social Housing providers Ongoing survey and focus group work Relevant insights from other projects Local Government Local government Roles and resourcing Not all Local Government Authorities have a dedicated Digital Inclusion lead Some have digital strategies and oversight boards (e.g., MCC) Location of DI leads – or person where DI work is focused – varies between LGAs Adult education Often building on prior digital skills interventions across a range of issues Social housing Where social housing is in house or local arms length Resourcing of DI is patchy and cyclical/not constant Often draws on budget of location where DI lead is based Local government Where and how to intervene? Specific intervention – provision of training, kit, or infrastructure Focus may relate to where DI is “owned” Systemic engagement Across the Local Government – examples we know of: Leeds – 100% Digital Leeds Oxford – we believe built into all strategies Across local delivery infrastructure/ecosystems Partial in many places The key question – funding Different Local Governments are utilizing different budgets to address DI Local government Policy and place leavers Context not same for all Local Governments Relationship to social housing – in house, arms length, or external What role private landlords Infrastructure Digital and technical infrastructure – what can they influence/use? Regional partners and 3rd sector eco-systems Who can they engage with to support delivery – especially of training/support Other policy priorities Health and wellbeing Education Regeneration General Themes and Recap Social Housing Providers All providers have already been addressing digital inclusion Stockport for example had previously offered social tariffs, fitted tower blocks with reduced cost broadband and fitted out a void property within the block to provide training (also seen as helpful in reducing social isolation) All providers noted the challenge of providing long-term support. Finance is often fixed term as maybe access offers (data, reduced cost broadband) Sustainability remains a key issue More than just digital Lots of offers