Our Campaign for Digital Inclusion Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins

1. Our Campaign for Digital Inclusion Cllr Laura Robertson-Collins ACM, Skills, Employment and Enterprise Liverpool City Council Chair, Go On Its Liverpool Steering Group

2. Where we started from: • June 2011 – 104,000 adults offline (never used the internet) c. 29% of the population • Skills gap – esp L2 and L4 - below national and regional levels • Lowest employment rate in UK • Recognition of role of digital skills in regeneration agenda • Embraced by local authority as crucial for skills and employment – not just an education issue • Race Online - target to cut digital exclusion by 50%....

3. Where we are now: • Latest ONS figures (Jul – Sep 2012) show 46,000 adults are offline in most recent quarter • 58,000 fewer adults offline than in June 2011 • End of 2011 – 84,000 adults offline – 5.6% reduction in digital divide, compared to 1.1% nationally • June 2012 statistics – showed 61,000 adults offline…. ie a 12.1% reduction in the digital divide…(to 17%) • Almost met the “Race Online” target – to halve digital exclusion from 29% by June 2012 • 1,500 Digital Champions recruited (inc 10% of all DCs for BBC Give An Hour, Oct 2011)

4. So….what did we do to get here? • “The New Model for promoting Digital Inclusion”:- • Politicians • Promotion • Partnership • Buy-in at highest political level in Local Authority • High profile promotional activities – launch events, BBC tie-ins, Martha Lane Fox • Campaign had begun in 2010, from the Local Strategic Partnership – digital inclusion seen as fundamental for the ‘Sustainable Community Strategy’ • Utilised existing cross-sector infrastructure, from LSP • Local Authority resource – had dedicated staff support • And have a vibrant Cross- sector Steering Group

5. “New Model” fundamentals: • Digital Inclusion Strategic Framework recognised as fundamental to achieve Liverpool’s Sustainable Community Strategy outcomes • Universal political support for Motion to Liverpool City Council 14 September 2011 • Integration into the ‘Liverpool Plan’ • Leadership of Liverpool City Council and Liverpool Vision • Strong support from strategic partners such as Liverpool Chamber of Commerce CIC, Merseytravel & Unionlearn • Support from Race Online – with ‘new Digital Champion model’ – ie anyone can be a digital champion….

6. Multi faceted partnership: • Mecca Bingo • Mersey Fire & Rescue Service • Merseyside Police • Merseytravel • Post Office • Registered Social Landlords • School network – Liverpool Vision GEC school programme • NHS & PCT • Talk Talk • TUC / Unionlearn • UK Online Centres - including Granby Toxteth and Everton Development Centres • Weatherspoons • Other local public, private community and voluntary sectors • Adult Learning Service • AIMES • BBC • Big Lottery • Business in the Community • FACT • Google UK • John Lewis plc • Jobcentre Plus/DWP • Lloyds TSB • LCVS • Liverpool Chamber of Commerce CIC • Liverpool Community College + all Universities • Liverpool Library & Information Service

7. High profile promotional activities • BBC Breakfast live broadcast from Toxteth Library on campaign launch day 24 October 2011 • Launch sponsored by Unionlearn at Contemporary Urban Centre attended by over 80 partners – many undertook various radio interviews • Go ON it’s liverpool advert displayed on media wall opposite Lime Street Station for 5 days from 28 October 2011 • October + November Events held by business and community sectors • BBC Radio Merseyside Roger Phillips, Sean Styles supported campaign • interviews with Norris Green Library, Digital Champion Award Winners • Partners campaign promotion via internal and external channels • Liverpool Chamber Commerce CIC magazine front cover + feature • Liverpool City Council magazine • Liverpool Echo and Daily Post features • North West & North Wales Housing News • Unionlearn - Onward Magazine • Merseytravel – Connect Magazine • GEC Activities March 2012

9. Digital Champions • Digital champions support family, friends, colleagues or customers to get all the benefits that the internet can bring. • Help people gain internet access • Inspire people to take their first steps online • Guide people on how to use a computer, using free online training resources • Encourage others to become digital champions and help others • Who can do this?

10. Where do we go now? Drivers / Opportunities in 2013 • Welfare benefits - ‘digital by default’ • JSA ‘Trailblazer’ on Merseyside….Impact on LA services, and voluntary organisations • Social landlords stepping up interventions • BDUK infrastructure £ for Merseyside • Lottery ££ - Awards for All; money for city? • DALAS ££

11. Next steps • Co-ordination of the partners and networks to raise awareness of the campaign • Develop • Digital Champion network citywide - recruitment • Go On Its Liverpool ‘Award’ – Launch on Safer Internet Day, 5th February 2013 • improve connectivity - access to free wi-fi • Improve number of new users • Creating demand – commercial provision of infrastructure follows • Improve skills and confidence - training provision • Improve how business, SMEs and charities use technology to grow and help their customers and service users • Embed demand for digital across all strategies and services

12. In Summary: The Campaign for Digital Inclusion • Essential for all residents – for employability, access to jobs and to skills • Embed across all of local authority • Cutting costs of service provision • Improving access to health and well-being • Economic development – connected firms grow more (20% SMEs are offline) • No-one should be left behind – social justice