Our chance to make a difference on digital poverty

A few weeks ago I wrote an article for the Birmingham Post criticising the BBC for seemingly ignoring the Midlands in its national news bulletins, focusing on “London, Scotland and the North ”, writes Steve Allen.

I received a robust response from BBC Midlands, highlighting the BBC 's investment in our region and just some of the programming emanating from here.

So it 's good for once to be writing a column praising the output from BBC Midlands and how, coupled with extraordinary bandwidth of the Chamber and others, we can help to make a difference.

Last week, I sat at home watching the BBC Midlands evening bulletin when they did a piece on digital poverty and in particular the fact that there are approximately 20,000 children in our region unable to join in online teaching because they don 't have the necessary equipment at home.

By equipment I mean a laptop or a internet connection, the sort of thing that most children would take for granted. Within minutes of this broadcast my mobile phone and email lit up with friends and colleagues, moved by what they had seen wanting to help.

I felt exactly the same way. Inequality of opportunity, discrimination and unfairness is something that has always annoyed me and the fact that kids from disadvantaged backgrounds should be held back in this way is no exception.

People have asked me whether I 'm disappointed that my term of office as Chamber president hasn 't included the numerous events and black-tie dinners involved in the role.

I must admit that like everyone else I really miss the everyday contact with people, especially meeting new people. However, what I 've come to appreciate throughout this pandemic is that being Chamber president embeds you into the most brilliant and dynamic team at Chamber House, ready to deal with complex issues in real time.

I 've learnt that speaking out and making a difference on policy issues, lobbying our regional and national stakeholders and doing our bit to “keep business moving ” is far more important in these difficult times than donning the president 's medal and attending a dinner.

My reply is that to be president at this time is the greatest privilege - to make a difference, even a small one, is the greatest prize of all.

The issue of digital poverty is one area where I am determined that the Chamber can help. Within hours of the broadcast, the Chamber team had set up a zoom meeting with the City Council and the Birmingham Education Partnership (BEP).

It was obvious from that conversation that both the City Council and BEP were well advanced in terms of addressing the crisis but it was clear that the Chamber 's contacts and communication channels could help.

We were able immediately to highlight the problem on ChamberlinkDaily and I recorded an interview with BEP 's chief executive Tim Boyes which we were able to send out across our news channels.

I would like to ask you the reader to help make that difference. If we can help even one child get the start in life they deserve then that is a result in itself. Details of how you can help are on the BEP website ([email protected]) or donate directly here.

Essentially, if you have an old laptop, especially one that is less than 10 years old, then it can be safely reconditioned and put to good use.

Ideally, if you are a business owner with several laptops to donate that would be even better and if neither of these options apply I would urge you please to donate to the BEP through their just giving page. This will help pay for their reconditioning programme and logistical challenges that they face.

Thank you BBC Midlands for highlighting this issue and thank you in advance for all your help.

This column by Steve Allen, president of Greater Birmingham Chambers and Birmingham office head of Mills & Reeve LLP, first appeared in yesterday 's Birmingham Post