Digital Inclusion Pilot for Social Housing Residents in Greater Manchester
A digital inclusion pilot project is underway in Greater Manchester, focusing on social housing residents. The project aims to address the digital divide by providing insights from local government perspectives, interviews with relevant authorities, and examples from various areas. It covers topics such as digital strategies, resourcing, intervention provisions, policy considerations, and engagement with regional partners. Stay updated with the latest findings and ongoing activities in the realm of digital inclusion.
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Presentation Transcript
1 Get Online Greater Manchester: digital inclusion pilot for social housing residents John Steward, Head of Digital Infrastructure, Greater Manchester Combined Authority #FixTheDigitalDivide
GMCA Social Housing Pilot Local Government and Review of findings so far Simeon Yates, University of Liverpool
3 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
4 Local Government Local Government
5 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
6 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
7 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
8 General Themes and Recap General Themes and Recap
9 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 by Social Housing Providers either directly offer or are connected to a range of community-based provision. These include things like skills and employability, activities to address loneliness etc. There is a recognition that tackling digital inclusion isn t just about devices or cabling in the walls, its about giving people opportunities to connect with other, access services and support.
10 Housing Providers Frontline realities A real commitment from the Social Housing Providers to address digital inclusion issues However Providers and their staff are key frontline service for their tenants Many tenants are feeling some of the most profound effects of the cost of living crisis. Colleagues within the organisations are dealing with these issues alongside digital inclusion: setting up warm hubs trying to identify the appropriate benefits/support to alleviate the effects of the cost of living/energy crisis
Social Tariffs Message still not getting through Nationally 2/3rd Not aware Nationally close to 40% who they are targeted at don t think they are for them Locally in our data so far 50% who responded are not interested in a social tariff Majority 80%of those who are offline and could take a social tariff are not interested Big concerns over practicality and contracts Sweet spot of about 10 per month and no tie in But Social Tariffs may be below our nationally identified MDLS for households with families ok for an individual maybe Simple Bar Percent of How much would you be happy to pay for a social tariff broadband only package? 90 80 70 60 Respondents 50 40 30 20 10 0 Depends on offer 0-5 6-10 11-15 16-30 30+ in includes TV or other services How much would you be happy to pay for a social tariff broadband only package?
12 Broadband and mobile From both the MDSL work and interviews with residents so far: Mobile data is necessary but not sufficient must have but may not be enough You can get by on mobile data, and it is really a last line of defence Data on top of broadband is what provides real benefit to citizens Its Quality access and Mobility Anecdotal but people who are mobile only often like places to be / do digital Simple Bar Percent of What is the main way that you access the internet when you are at home? Percent What is the main way that you access the internet when you are at home?
13 Interventions and skills Experience of interventions being transitory Experience of support falling off after 6 months / year / end of project Equipment loaned/given/shared is often older/cheaper with short shelf life Moving beyond functional skills in support and training is a challenge It s the skills for confident safe use that people fall short on
14 Links to other projects Minimum Digital Living Standard From our national project: A minimum digital standard of living includes, but is more than having accessible internet, adequate equipment, and the skills, knowledge, and support people need. It is about being able to communicate, connect, and engage with opportunities safely and with confidence Basket of goods services, support, and skills needed to meet this has been defined for Households with children. Full details to be published in February along with Welsh Government. Three key areas of need: Access and basic equipment Functional skills Skills for safety and confidence
15 Takeaways Local partnership is key Skills are a bit of Cinderella issues in the programme but becoming key in things like MDLS and other measures Social housing providers are at the nexus of issues for digital inclusion But they are for lots of other things too (health, wellbeing, aging, cost-of-living) They need to have or be supported to have dedicated DI lead role Landlords in general may need to be supported/required/helped to provide a minimum digital offer to tenants to support their access to services ISPs can be a core part of delivering solutions but: Partnerships need to be long term and integrated Other provider solutions (local networks) may also have a role National UK debate and action on DI is limited at moment As with Wales and Scotland there may need to be a clearer demand from regions But splitting out national and devolved opportunites
