It was encouraging to hear that a considerable amount of funding has been announced by the Scottish National Investment Bank in a bid to help tackle digital inequality.
This can only be good news for Scottish businesses across the nation as we rely on technology more and more in both our work and personal lives.
The £20m fund will go to Lothian Broadband Group – an organisation whose mission is to “transform the digital landscape”.
The cash is part of the Group’s wider plans to invest £75m to connect over 70,000 new premises in rural communities and small towns across East Lothian, Midlothian and the Scottish Borders over the next four years.
This is just a small part of the work being carried out across Scotland to improve digital access.
For example, the Scottish 4G Infill programme is an ongoing initiative that installs 4G to rural areas, and just last year, the SNP pledged to provide every child in Scotland with a device which would allow them to access the internet, as well as a free internet connection, over the next five years.
Educating the next generation in technology will be vital for the future of our nation and I’m fully supportive of any steps that can be taken to make us a more digitally connected country as it will be absolutely essential to the workforce.
Many of us take internet access for granted, but evidently there are plenty of people across the country who either don’t have the technology to get online, or they simply cannot access the internet due to connectivity issues.
A survey in 2019 showed 88 per cent of Scottish households had internet access – and while this is a high number – it also highlighted disparities between certain communities, showing that older people and those from more deprived areas were less likely to have access.
To me, it is mind blowing that someone who needs to gain access to the internet could be unable to in this technology driven society and the pandemic has really brought the reality of digital exclusion to the surface.
Without internet access, many businesses would have been unable to keep productivity going or retain staff, while Scotland’s youth would have struggled to continue being educated, which would have had serious consequences for the future of our economy.
It is therefore crucial that the digital playing field is levelled out before it’s too late.
Many of the ways in which people have adapted to using more tech during the pandemic are here to stay and it’s clear that this will continue to be a major part of most people’s lives going forward.
Those who are unable to access services in the same way as people in major towns and cities will simply be left behind if more isn’t done quickly to level up and this could have a knock-on effect on the Highlands and Islands’ already dwindling populations.
The advantages of a digitally included society extend beyond job opportunities, business growth and access to education.
A more digitally connected nation could help us achieve our sustainability targets as well by reducing the need for car journeys and there are also ramifications for our health and wellbeing.
Our health service is becoming increasingly digitised, and there are numerous businesses aimed at improving our wellbeing that are predominantly online via apps and websites.
Without easy access to these services, it stands to reason that people’s health could potentially suffer.
Internet access can also do wonders for people’s social lives and curb loneliness as discovered by the many people who enjoyed a weekly ‘lockdown quiz’.
Younger people are often criticised for spending too much time online, but technology and the internet are clearly not going anywhere, and these online skills will be crucial for future employment.
It may take a while for people who haven’t grown up with access to such modern technology a long time to get used to, but it can be extremely worthwhile if it improves the quality of everyone’s lives.
I think this investment is fantastic and hope to see more of this across the country until we all have truly equal access to the technology that is now so essential in everyday life.
Glasgow landmark left to rot
A trip to Glasgow’s impressive House of Fraser department store is a memory many of us will have, whether that was splashing out on an impulse buy, marvelling at its twinkling Christmas lights, or waiting on your other half coming out the fitting rooms.
Either way, much could be said for the A-listed building itself.
The 350,000 sq. ft shop, complete with sweeping staircase and several floors of premium retail space, has stood proudly on the corner of Buchanan Street and Argyle Street since 1849.
Unfortunately, the building has fallen on hard times since being acquired by Sports Direct boss, Mike Ashley, who bought the building for £95m from Strathclyde Pension Fund in a deal concluded in January 2020.
He had previously bought the House of Fraser brand for £90m after it entered administration, owing creditors a whopping £1billion.
The building’s white knight has fallen short of empty promises about making the department store the ‘Harrods of the North’.
The historical shopping destination is now reported to be in a sorry state and on the risk of collapse following significant water damage.
Images show buckets and bins being used to stop water pouring in from holes in internal ceilings and clear signs of damp in the department store.
A staff member speaking to reporters said, ‘it’s insane they aren’t dealing with the issues, the place is collapsing and has white mould that has been left to rot and fester.’
Time for the owners to treat this Glasgow landmark with the respect she deserves and ensure it continues to be an integral part of the famous ‘Style Mile’ for years to come.
It Made Me Laugh
Ballater has been named the ‘easiest’ place to sit and pass your driving test in Scotland.
Researchers found the Aberdeenshire burgh had an overall pass rate of 83.3 per cent.
Experts found that Scotland’s rural spots were the place to be for learner drivers.
Quieter spots such as Rothesay on the Isle of Bute and Peebles in the Borders clinched the top spots.
The overall pass rate for Scotland was 63 per cent, which is higher than rates seen south of the border.
The Glasgow suburb of Anniesland, in the city’s west end, was revealed as having the worst pass rate of anywhere in Scotland, with just 42 per cent of learner drivers getting that ellusive pink licence.
Anyone who has had to decipher the junctions and traffic light system at Anniesland Cross will understand why.
It Made Me Weep
OVO Energy was left feeling hot under the collar last week after advising customers that they could stay warm in their homes this year by cuddling their pets and eating porridge.
The ludicrous gaffe was made in an ill-advised blog suggesting ‘10 simple and cost-effective ways’ to stay warm and keep bills down.
The blunder left customers cold, especially with the numerous headlines about price increases and energy companies collapsing.
The energy giant was forced to issue an apology over the misstep saying it recognised that the blog was ‘poorly judged and unhelpful’ and that they were ‘embarrassed and sincerely apologise’.
For people who are worried about heating their homes this winter, being told to wear a jumper or have a hula-hoop contest is beyond daft, it’s offensive.
