In a compelling display of dedication to digital inclusivity, the Advanced team convened at the Digital Government North event in Manchester this September. At the helm of this movement is none other than the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, a fervent advocate for levelling up and rectifying the North-South Divide. Mayor Burnham underscored the criticality of universal digital access as a precursor to the evolution towards a wholly digital society, grounding his plea in the poignant statistic that a mere 88% of the population presently enjoys such access, leaving an exclusionary 12%. His questioning of the legality and morality inherent in this digital divide resounded with urgency, accompanied by an impassioned call for augmented investment and support for the digitally disadvantaged.
As an industry-leading digital software and solutions provider, Advanced’s core mission orbits around furnishing technology that not only streamlines operations but also fosters enhanced job satisfaction, ultimately optimising the overall work experience. It is imperative to remember, amidst the seamless integration within Cloud-based platforms and the routine orchestration of online interactions, that digital access is a privilege, and not an entitlement universally accessible.
The crucible of education laid bare the gap between the digital haves and have-nots during the pandemic. Numerous schools rallied to furnish tablets and laptops to students marooned by the digital divide, bereft of requisite devices for online learning. An even graver challenge loomed for households entirely void of internet access.
In 2023, a report from the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee (CDC) revealed that a staggering 7 million UK households grapple with the absence of broadband or mobile internet access. Proficiency gaps further hinder progress, with 4 million individuals unable to perform rudimentary digital tasks, such as launching an internet browser, connecting to a WiFi network, or manipulating a mouse. Notably, this deficiency does not pertain solely to the elderly or retired demographic. By 2030, it is estimated that 5 million workers will be critically deficient in basic digital skills, culminating in a staggering £63 billion annual economic loss attributed to digital skills deficits.
The CDC report highlights that 1 million individuals, due to financial constraints, have curtailed or completely relinquished their internet subscriptions within the past year. While figures may marginally differ from the Mayor’s earlier assertion, the unassailable fact remains – a substantive segment of the populace contends with a pronounced digital disadvantage. In the prevailing economic climate, more households may regrettably find themselves compelled to further curtail such essential services.
The repercussions of this circumstance reverberate profoundly within local authorities, presently confronting fiscal constraints amid escalating demand for their services. Whilst these councils bear the onus of safeguarding the most vulnerable members of their communities, such endeavours must not be to the detriment of other critical expenditures. Vital frontline services, including waste management, adult and child social care, hang in the balance. Simultaneously, local authorities, in concert with private sector entities and central government, are mobilising resources to expedite the deployment of high-speed broadband services to their constituents.
In the face of mounting obligations with constrained resources, the imperative for strategic procurement, capable of alleviating financial burdens, becomes unmistakable. Bryn Stevens from Advanced addressed the assembly, delineating how technology stands poised to streamline the procurement process, engendering superior business outcomes through an enriched customer experience. Tailored procurement solutions hold the promise of mitigating risks, amplifying efficiency, and establishing local authorities as more dependable partners in commerce. Bryn imparted salient best practices and case studies, demonstrating how technology can optimise procurement practices, thereby amplifying the value delivered to clientele, and ultimately enabling local authorities to extract maximum value from public coffers.
Meanwhile, Mayor Burnham extended heartfelt gratitude to local authorities and their collaborators for their indefatigable efforts in advancing digital service dissemination, aimed at obviating digital disparities. Through their collective endeavours to provide universal access to robust broadband and mobile internet, these entities forge a path wherein every generation can acclimate to the digital era, acquire fundamental digital proficiencies, and ultimately narrow the digital skills gap, allowing for a more robust and sustainable workforce for the future.