Martha Lane Fox backs Digital Birmingham
DOTCOM doyenne Martha Lane Fox visited Birmingham to give her support to a city project aimed at promoting computer and online skills.
The entrepreneur, who along with Brent Hoberman made became a pin-up for the first wave of the internet through Lastminute.com, came to the city to see the work that Digital Birmingham has been carrying out with local people.
She visited housing estates in Erdington and Aston where residents have been provided with computers and broadband access for six months, through the Computers in the Home project, to encourage digital uptake among the disadvantaged.
“More than 10 million adults across the UK have never used the internet, and worryingly, four million of this group are also socially excluded,” said Lane Fox.
“All of them are missing out on the opportunities and cost efficiencies that the web has to offer.”
“There are many superb projects across the UK already working hard towards a more digitally enabled society and Birmingham is a fantastic example of how communities can benefit from being online.”
The entrepreneur, who is a non-executive director of Channel 4, Marks and Spencer and Mydeco, also met with business and council leaders.
Key among the topics discussed was the Race Online 2012 strategy which is part of the city’s drive to address digital inclusion and achieve economic recovery.
“We’re delighted Martha has chosen to visit Birmingham and meet the people who are benefiting from increased digital know-how,” said councillor Paul Tilsley, deputy leader of Birmingham City Counci and chair of Digital Birminghaml.
“We firmly believe that being able to access the benefits of online and digital technology is one of the biggest factors in economic well being and social inclusion, and this has been the key driver of Digital Birmingham’s activity over the past few years.
“We’re proud of the achievements of the people who live and work in the city, and of the work that we and our partner organisations have done to help bring about this success.”
