BT Group today reveals how tech-savvy over-65s are making an average of £650-a-year monetising their traditional skills online.¹

While Gen Z (18-24 year-olds) might be better known for online side hustles, over-65s are knitting, sewing and baking their way to spare cash, often marrying a lifetime of expertise with digital skills to gain followers and funds.

The Gen Z cohort make an average of £1,100 a year, around double what over-65s are making. Yet the BT Group research indicates that over-65s possess a lifetime of skills they could monetise online if they had stronger digital skills.

The research showed over-65s were 30% more likely to possess useful real world skills such as baking and knitting, than those under-65 (see table).

Yet when it comes to digital skills – which would enable them to turn their hobby into a way of generating extra income – the research showed older people are less confident than younger generations.

Despite nearly half (46%) of over-65s striving to improve their digital skills, BT Group’s research shows almost a third (27%) are not confident with tech and over half (57%) feel like technology is passing them by.²

Upskilling half of the over-65s who possess traditional skills, but are not confident with their digital skills, could create over £1.2bn of economic value.³

It comes as BT Group is helping drive digital skills among older generations through free learning programmes, including a free webinar ‘Digital discovery at any age’, a one-hour session to help over-65s to learn basic digital skills on Wednesday February 28 at 1pm GMT.

Helen Ashton, from Leicester turned her talent for painting into an income generator online and is a big believer in embracing digital skills in later life.

Grandmother-of-four Helen, 60, set up ‘Something Completely Different, (SCD) With Love’ five years ago – an online side-hustle specialising in painting staircase murals as well as painting ceramics.

She explained: “The amount of money I make through my side hustle varies, it’s usually around £1,500 for painting a staircase mural and I do about three each year.

“I began painting staircases five years ago for a bit of fun and to earn a bit of extra money, starting with a pub I used to work at in Lancaster.

“I used to get maybe one job a year through word-of-mouth and it was more of a hobby. But when I learned how to use social media to promote myself it turned into something more serious. I expect my business to earn £4,500 this year. 

“I’ve been able to build my audience on social media to promote my work across Instagram and Facebook, reaching so many more people than just word of mouth alone.

“I would urge older people like me to learn digital skills where they can, it’s not difficult and a little bit of knowledge goes a long way. I’ve been able to take something I love and turn it into a side hustle that makes me a bit of cash to treat the grandkids”.

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “It’s great to see people launch side hustles in later life. Through our learning programmes and tech tips courses, BT Group is proud to be helping older generations get the digital skills they need to convert years of experience into a successful online business.”

To learn new digital skills, register for free to BT Group and AbilityNet charity’s free webinar ‘Digital discovery at any age’. 

Notes to editors:

¹ Research is from a Opinium poll of 2,000 UK adults carried out on behalf of BT Group January 2024.

Breakdown of over 65s traditional skills vs.18 to 34-year-olds:
More than twice as many older people know how to wire a plug as young people (84% vs 39%)
Repair clothes (73% vs 50%)
Polish shoes (99% vs 78%)
Iron clothes (95% vs 86%)
Light a BBQ (76% vs 66%)
Grow plants (86% vs 68%)
Home-making (94% vs 71%)
Knitting (50% vs 31%)
Baking (75% vs 80%)
Restoration (39% vs 39%)
Vehicle maintenance (45% vs 43%)

²Source: the latest Office for National Statistics figures.
³Source: research from the UK Government.
⁴Source: BT Group. Base: All (3,012), All aged 65+ and not confident in their digital skills (195).

About AbilityNet:

UK charity AbilityNet has more than 25 years’ experience of empowering disabled people through technology at home, at work and in education. In its mission to create a “digital world accessible to all,” it works with individuals, charities, and community groups to champion inclusive digital design, and its experienced consultants empower the private and public sectors to deliver accessible websites, services, and apps. The Charity’s Patron is Baroness Martha Lane-Fox. www.abilitynet.org.uk

AbilityNet offers free IT support at home and online to older people and disabled people via its nationwide network of 450+ AbilityNet Tech Volunteers. To access the free service, call the helpline on 0300 180 0028 during UK office hours, email to enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk or visit: www.abilitynet.org.uk/at-home

As scammers are known to target vulnerable groups online during the festive period, the one-hour live webinar will reveal the most common tricks and tactics to watch out for.

Register here for the free event on December 12th, either for yourself or on behalf of loved ones who could benefit from understanding more about the online world. All those who register for the session will receive the recording afterward, even if they can't attend on the day.

The event is part of BT Group and AbilityNet’s partnership to support older and digitally excluded people with navigating the online world.

It comes as research* from BT Group highlights older internet users, who may be more vulnerable to online scams, are keen to develop their online confidence. It reveals two thirds (65%) of older people think there’s no age limit on learning new skills, with almost half (49%) open to learning tech skills specifically. 

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “If you or someone you care about could benefit from learning more about scams, then join us for ‘The 12 Scams of Christmas’ webinar.

“The run up to Christmas is a time when we’re all online more, shopping for presents or booking events. But it’s also a time when scammers are ready to take advantage of people who are less tech savvy and perhaps aren’t online as much throughout the rest of the year.

"At BT Group, we understand the significance of supporting older and digitally excluded individuals to navigate the digital world. Through our partnership with AbilityNet and initiatives like this webinar, our goal is to empower people with the knowledge needed to feel confident online.”

Lucy Walsh, Digital Skills Trainer at AbilityNet, said: “Almost all of us will, at some time or another, be enticed by ‘scammers’ to part with our hard-earned cash, or our sensitive personal data. This kind of illegal activity is particularly rife during the festive season. 

“So, at this time of year, it's even more important that we spread the word about how we can take action to identify and avoid some common tactics used by online fraudsters.

“Older people, disabled people and those who are less confident with technology are particularly vulnerable to scams, so here at AbilityNet, we want to share some tips and tactics to help keep us all safer online and have a happier, safer Christmas”.

Felicity Oswald, NCSC Chief Operating Officer, said: “As we enter the festive shopping period, online shoppers will naturally be on the lookout for bargain buys. Regrettably, cyber criminals view this time of year as an opportunity to scam people out of their hard-earned cash. I would urge shoppers to join the ‘12 Scams of Christmas’ webinar and also follow the steps in the Cyber Aware online shopping guidance, which includes setting up two-step verification and using passwords with three random words, so they’re easier to remember and harder to hack.”

 www.abilitynet.org.uk/ScamsWebinar

ENDS

Notes to editors

*Research carried out by OnePoll in October 2022 of 1500 people over 60 years of age in the UK.

It’s a vital goal, and we support UK ambitions to lead on it. 

But this important aim mustn’t eclipse the arguably bigger leadership opportunity: safely harnessing all manner of AI across all UK sectors and public services to improve everyday life.

The Real Opportunity

That’s because too often the AI debate focuses only on global developers and on protecting citizens, neglecting the intermediaries, or deployers of AI.   Yet this ‘missing middle’ is where most of the UK’s businesses and public sector bodies sit, and where vast economic and societal value resides.

Estimates suggest AI could add anything between £232bn to £400bn to the UK economy by 2030.  

The potential is huge – but, based on the UK’s low rates of AI deployment, could go untapped. 

While the Government rightly celebrates that UK AI startups raise more funding than their peers in Germany and France combined, deployment of AI by UK firms is lower than in either country, lagging Italy and Spain too.  Meanwhile in public sector deployment, Singapore and the US race ahead. 

In short, we have an AI deployment deficit – and it’s costing the UK, big time. 

So what has stopped the UK from leading so far?

Barriers to deployment

Among the commonly identified checks on AI deployment, three stand out:

• Transparency and regulatory/legal certainty: firms can find it hard to understand what AI they’re buying, despite deployers carrying the most regulatory risk.  Globally, around 3 in 5 companies identify ‘AI vendors who don’t include explainability features’ as a pervasive barrier to explainable and trustworthy AI. Regulatory/legal uncertainty can frustrate deployment too.
• Skills and confidence: many firms don’t have the skills among their leadership or employees to understand AI and its potential for them, or to deploy it with confidence.  The proportion of firms reporting skills as a key barrier to AI adoption is almost 60% higher in the UK than in France. 
• Data complexity and quality: companies also list data complexity among the principal barriers to AI deployment.  While AI may now get all the limelight (UK Google searches for AI increased x5 in the first half of this year alone), it relies on good quality data.  It doesn’t matter how mighty your model, there’s one unbending rule: “rubbish in, rubbish out.” 

These factors –transparency/regulatory certainty, skills, and data complexity – all drag deployment.

Yet they can be overcome with the right strategic focus, regulatory tools, and partnership between government and industry. 

We don’t have all the answers (you can read more about BT Group’s own aspirations to responsibly embrace AI here).  But we do have some proposals that should help.

Policy proposals

We recommend an immediate focus on the following areas.

1.       Transparency to de-risk deployment: to give companies confidence to buy and deploy AI, developers should have to publish consistent, easy-to-use information.  The format should be a standardised ‘model card’ that explains what training data was used, how the AI system was tested, if and how bias mitigation was applied, and the limits to its recommended use.  No proprietary information should be disclosed.  Indeed, model cards should remain as simple as possible, like food labelling that lists ingredients, allergens and simplified nutritional ratings.  This approach would help ensure responsibilities are distributed fairly across the value chain and promote clearer accountabilities.  Greater transparency is a better alternative at present to a detailed UK legal framework for such fast-evolving technology.

2.       AI ready workforce: while Government has helped expand and diversify the pipeline of new AI talent, more focus is needed on making the existing workforce ready for AI in the workplace.  For individuals, there should be more flexibility in when they access Government support for post-18 learning, opening more opportunities to upskill and reskill, including in roles that AI can augment or create.  For corporates, there should be more flexibility in how they invest their apprenticeship levy, enabling them to scale up programmes for current staff.  For smaller enterprises, managers should get support in learning about how AI can help their business.  Here again, flexibility in support can be a key factor in adoption. 

3.       Get the data foundations right: unnecessary uncertainty hangs over UK data laws.  We’ve seen a stop/start approach to sensible reforms aimed at maintaining a high standard in data protection while allowing businesses to simplify their processes.  Now’s time to finish the job and look to where pro-innovation provisions offer the most potential for AI-driven value.  This could start with better sharing of Government data to improve public service delivery.  We also need to ensure that ‘smart data’ schemes for industry focus on innovation between sectors, not narrowly within them.  For example, ‘Open Communications’ proposals – focused only on telecoms – would currently provide poor bang-for-buck (Government’s own figures suggest costs could be more than double the consumer value unlocked).  These measures should be part of a wider, ongoing strategic focus on data as well as AI; the fuel as well as the machinery of our present industrial revolution. 

These policy proposals should help ensure that UK firms and institutions have better understanding, a better skills base and stronger data foundations upon which to build their AI adoption plans.  They should contribute towards the resilience of the UK AI economy in the face of supply chain and labour market disruption.  Crucially, they should benefit UK businesses, workers and consumers. 

The safety of Frontier AI is a necessary pillar of trustworthy AI, but it is not sufficient for the challenges we face in adopting these technologies, responsibly, at scale, for the benefit of all.  As the last visitors exit Bletchley Park this week, we hope the UK can enter a new phase focused on responsibly harnessing AI for growth.  Making Artificial Intelligence work for the real economy.  Making the safe adoption of AI a national mission.

Our AI vision

Combining human intelligence and artificial intelligence, we want to use the power of AI in a safe and ethical manner to unlock value for our customers and colleagues in alignment with our purpose to ‘connect for good’.

Building trust to drive adoption

AI has the potential to deliver immense benefits for business and society. We’re already seeing this around us: whether it’s helping us to digitise the nation at pace; giving our customers a more personalised experience; or reducing the carbon impact of our networks.

But greater adoption will be key to unlocking the full value of AI. To drive adoption, we’ll need to put people first – our colleagues, customers, and communities. At its heart, this is about trust – in the technology and the organisations developing and deploying it.

Enabling AI for all

The policy debate to date has focused primarily on frontier AI developers and end consumers, but the deployers – those looking to apply AI in their everyday operations – have largely been left out. These are the businesses that need to deploy AI safely to benefit ordinary people. For that, we are calling for principles-based regulation that reduces risk and builds trust, transparency across the AI value chain, and partnership between government and industry.

Scaling AI responsibly

Individual organisations will need to play their part by scaling AI responsibly. At BT Group, we build and maintain trust by applying our responsible tech principles, ensuring that AI is deployed in a way that is for good, accountable, fair, and open.  Our responsible AI approach is built on strong foundations of data governance, privacy and security, and built into our data fabric – a key enabling platform that helps streamline and embed these principles in the way data is accessed and used across the Group.

Protecting from new cyber threats

We are addressing new cyber threats in the realm of generative AI. AI changes the cyber risks we face by enabling attackers to automate and scale up their attacks, mimic and manipulate human behaviour. AI also increases the complexity and uncertainty of the cyber threat landscape. To address these threats, we have a dedicated AI security research team, developed AI security standards and best practices, and are participating in global initiatives and partnerships to advance AI security research and innovation. Ultimately, all organisations and governments will need to adopt a similarly proactive and collaborative approach to AI security.

Enabling a skills (re)evolution

Finally, AI will reshape the world of work.  We need to work with our colleagues to explore what this means for them and to support them through the transition we all face as we build a new era of human/AI partnership. The new solutions built on AI will require new roles and evolved skills to enhance the value we deliver to our customers.

Towards a bright AI future – unlocking value for everyone

The benefits of AI will be transformative. Some of this will come in the form of efficiencies – allowing us to invest for customers and the UK economy, and grow, creating jobs for the future. It will also take the form of new opportunities to re-imagine how we operate and serve customers, colleagues, and communities.

We know we have a huge role to play in unlocking AI’s potential.  We will do that by building trust, by using AI to make everyday life better, and by building the skills we all need for a bright future – one in which people and AI come together, for good.

Against this backdrop the telco industry has offered a range of social tariffs - discounted connectivity offers for those on a range of benefits.

Yet the numbers - how many are digitally included, especially how many have broadband, and the characteristics of who does and does not - have barely changed.  While there are some who call for a major drive to increase the uptake of social tariffs, the industry in increasingly warning this may not be sustainable if it requires a subsidy for many millions of households.  There is a risk to other important policy agendas, such as investment in new network rollout.

What is really going on?

To help answer this, over the summer BT Group commissioned three experts Frontier Economics, Yonder Consulting and charity AbilityNet, to provide insights into overlooked or misunderstood aspects of the challenge.

Together, they have found that:

• One million households in the UK have incomes so low they cannot afford any connectivity at all. Most of this group are working age but not in work, so in the near term, only the Government can help them change this.
• Two million people (21% of those currently eligible) live in households with sufficient income that they are unlikely to need the discount offered by social tariffs.
• Many households eligible for social tariffs do have broadband, and are navigating the market well and so paying around £20 a month for it (the price Ofcom defines as a social tariff). This group know the importance connectivity in their lives and so prioritise it in their spending. Many are buying their broadband in a bundle with other services such as mobile or TV, which enables them to get this affordable price. They often say that they would not move to get a slight saving, as they value the other services they buy.
• To support someone that has never used a digital device before on the journey to be confident and active in the digital world, high quality, tailored, one on one, consistent support is often needed. When this is provided it can be transformative. It is also essential to driving change: people do not want services they cannot use.

Earlier in the summer Enders Analysis published an independent note (where the previous three were commissioned by BT Group). Enders also identify that the numbers in acute need of support with the costs of connectivity are much lower than current eligibility.  They also quantify the risks of the current focus on uptake – calculating that with full uptake £1.5bn a year could be taken out of the industry and could increase prices for non-eligible customers by 20%.

What could be a better way forward?

BT Group makes the following suggestions:

1.     Policy makers should refocus their attention on the very low income households and consider public funding to support this group as a social policy priority.

2.     Ofcom should use a wider set of measures to track affordability, including not only tracking awareness and uptake of social tariffs, but also how many households pay £20 or less per month for their broadband (whether through a social tariff or a commercial product).

3.     Ofcom should ensure all operators offer a social tariff and that those tariffs meet the same minimum standard term so that all customers have a straightforward offer available to them, as a safety net, in what can be a fast-moving and complex market.  At the same time, policymakers should recognise that many customers will continue to get good or similar value from other low-priced commercial products: a mass migration of customers away from these products is not necessary.

4.     Policymakers should re-examine how to provide greater direct support to those who lack the skills and confidence to participate in the digital world, not all of whom are in low-income groups.

In the 21st Century this is a systemic challenge. The case for well-funded and well-designed policy interventions lies not just in the potential to transform lives but also in enabling the digital transition of public services like healthcare, and private services like banking. And so driving greater digital inclusion should be at the heart of the next Government’s agenda, both to empower citizens and support improved productivity and growth in the UK economy.

You can download the report in full – Digital inclusion: New insights and finding a sustainable way forward 

2^nd October 2023

BT Group has teamed up with lexicographer and queen of Dictionary Corner Susie Dent to create a Digital Dictionary, in order to help older and digitally excluded people get a better understanding of online jargon.

New research conducted by BT Group found that one in six older people admit to feeling “baffled” by digital terms, and 78% feel left behind by their lack of knowledge. In response, Susie Dent, BT Group and UK charity AbilityNet have partnered to create the Digital Dictionary, which identifies the most commonly misunderstood words used on the internet, and provides simple explanations.,

The Dictionary contains 21 words in total, including the likes of hyperlink (41% misunderstood), QR code (24%) and the cloud (23%). Lack of understanding around these common online terms creates a significant issue, with the survey of 2,000 older people finding that even though they spend just five and a half hours a week online, over half (55%) wish that they were more knowledgeable when it comes to using the internet.

38% of older people said they experienced feelings of frustration when unable to understand digital terms, and in fact, over one in 10 respondents think online terms are so complicated that a foreign language would be easier to learn.

Furthermore, 16% of people worry that others will see them as a ‘burden’ if they ask for help, especially as over one in ten (16%) admit that family members have got irritated when having to explain to them.      

Lexicographer, Susie Dent said: “Whilst so much of modern life seems easier online – whether that’s booking a doctor’s appointment, managing your finances, or doing the weekly shop – we’re forgetting one crucial thing: it’s only easier if you understand the language the web is built on.

So, I’ve teamed up with BT Group and AbilityNet to create this Digital Dictionary, a guide that simplifies the language of the internet, with the aim of helping us all make the most of life in an online world.”

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Campaigns Director, BT Group said: “It’s a shame to see from the research that older adults feel they are a burden when asking for help navigating their way online. We want to create a more inclusive society by helping them make the most of life in the digital world.

We hope that both the Digital Dictionary and variety of online guides on offer will give people the confidence to start exploring the internet and give them all the training and support needed to live life to the fullest in the digital age.”

Sarah Brain, Free Service Manager at AbilityNet said: “For anyone who didn’t grow up with smartphones or super-fast broadband, being online can feel like a whole new world to some. Resources such as the Digital Dictionary are helping to address the need to support older generations towards understanding ever-changing online jargon.”

Earlier this year, BT Group announced a new partnership with the charity AbilityNet to help improve the digital skills of 4,000 older and digitally excluded people across the UK in 2023. The ‘Senior Skills’ programme will deliver more than 1,000 group and one-to-one training sessions to those who need it most in regions across the UK.

As part of Senior Skills, BT Group has created a variety of online guides that will help give anyone the knowhow and confidence to start exploring the internet, whilst inspiring them to unlock the possibilities from using it. Each guide comes with both a digital helper section (for the volunteer) and a learner section too, which can easily be downloaded and printed at home for convenience.        

Visit www.bt.com/seniorskills to view the Digital Dictionary and find all the training and support needed to live life to the full in the digital age.

Research of 2,000 older people revealed the top 30 online jargon they don’t understand:

1. Smishing
2. Vishing
3. Hyperlink
4. USB-C
5. Ransomware
6. URL
7. Phishing
8. QR code
9. Cloud
10. Malware
11. IP address
12. Cookies
13. Streaming
14. Tabs
15. Processor
16. Spam
17. Antivirus
18. Hardware
19. Browser
20. Upload
21. USB
22. Social media
23. Emoji
24. Webpage
25. App
26. Google
27. Download
28. Search Engine
29. Software
30. Smartphone

In 2020, BT Group committed to placing diversity and inclusion at the heart of the selection process for its next legal panel, which will be confirmed in 2024, by promising that the firm with the best results in these fields would see its place on the roster automatically renewed. Since then, BT Group has worked collaboratively with all of its panel firms to understand not only how they’re increasing diversity in their workforce, but also the steps they’re taking to foster inclusivity in their working environments.

While many firms were identified as making excellent progress in these areas, Addleshaw Goddard, BCLP, Osborne Clarke and CMS were distinguished by their ability to provide clear evidence of actions they’ve taken across various levels of seniority and geographic regions. BT Group also concluded that Addleshaw Goddard’s range of ideas, innovations, attention to detail and overall enthusiasm helped them to beat other strong contenders to the top position.

Sabine Chalmers, General Counsel, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Company Secretary for BT Group, said: “When we began looking at our next legal panel, we wanted to ensure that all the firms involved are playing an active role in building a more diverse and inclusive legal industry. Throughout the assessment process, we were delighted to see that this is an issue that many firms are already taking seriously. We’re delighted to be able to confirm that against very strong competition Addleshaw Goddard were selected as the leading firm in driving D&I, and we look forward to working with them as a part of our next legal panel.”

BT Group continues to take a variety of measures to drive D&I across the company. Having committed to championing inclusion in its Manifesto, in July BT Group appointed Fiona Vines as its new Chief Inclusion, Equity & Diversity Officer to further drive initiatives in these areas. All its senior managers’ compensation now includes a D&I metric, and the company provides updates on its D&I performance in all of its major reports to the external market.
 

In pursuit of its commitment to becoming a net zero business by the end of March 2031, BT Group today announced that it is trialling several ‘liquid cooling’ technologies that could substantially improve energy consumption and efficiency metrics in its networks and IT infrastructure.

An industry first, BT Group will trial ‘precision liquid cooled’ network switches using a solution provided by Iceotope and Juniper Networks^® QFX Series Switches, which are widely used in existing network cloud architectures. Ahead of the trial, they have together demonstrated a replica ‘set-up’ using an HP x86 server at BT’s Sustainability Festival. The demonstration showed how power used to cool a network switch typically deployed in a data centre could be significantly reduced.

All electronic and electrical systems generate heat during operation that must be dissipated to maintain working capability. Like most large data centres, network and IT equipment across BT Group’s estate is currently cooled using air-based systems. As network capacity and demands increase, next generation IT and network hardware will have to work harder and will become hotter. Consequently, the power needed to cool them will increase, driving up energy consumption and operational cost.

BT Group is therefore exploring numerous alternative cooling techniques and in addition to its trial with Iceotope and Juniper, the company will trial the following liquid cooling systems, which were also demonstrated at BT Group’s Sustainability Festival.

• Precision Liquid Cooled networking servers and data centre equipment, with Iceotope and Juniper
• Full immersion of networking servers in an immersion tank, with Immersion4
• Liquid-cooled cold plates of networking equipment in a cooling enclosure, with Nexalus
• Cooling using sprayed-on partial immersion of data centre equipment, with Airsys.

BT Group expects that several different cooling solutions could eventually be deployed, depending on specific location and operational requirements. The trials will aim to establish which solutions are optimal for each scenario, and the extent of potential energy savings.

Typically, these techniques bring several benefits including a 40-50% reduction in power needed to cool systems vs. air cooling, higher equipment density-saving on real estate footprint (and therefore further power usage reductions), and reduced material usage-reducing carbon footprint. Further, rather than heat dissipated into the air, liquid cooling systems can channel exhausted heat to be reused to heat other parts of a building. Liquid cooling enabling equipment can also be deployed in more environmentally challenging environments such as areas with more contaminants i.e., dust, humidity.

Maria Cuevas, Networks Research Director, BT Group said, “As the UK’s largest provider of fixed-line broadband and mobile services in the UK, it isn’t a surprise that over 90% of our overall energy consumption – and nearly 95% of our electricity - comes from our networks. In a world of advancing technology and growing data demands, it’s critical that we continue to innovate for energy efficiency solutions. Liquid cooling for network and IT infrastructure is one part of a much bigger jigsaw but is an area we’re very excited to explore with our technology partners.”

Today, BT Group reveals the growing importance for school leavers to possess digital skills for the workplace - as new research of company bosses shows they value them just as highly as a university degree.

Nearly four in 10 (39%) UK CEOs and senior decision-makers said basic digital skills are the asset that makes a young person most employable (39%), compared to non-vocational university degrees (22%).

It comes at the time of the year when many students will be considering their options after finding out their A-Level results last week. 

BT Group’s polling of business leaders suggests that students possessing basic digital skills can be as attractive to employers as having a university degree.

Nearly three quarters (72%) of UK business leaders said a person with digital skills has as good a career prospect as someone holding a degree, while 67% said basic digital literacy  is the single most important skill their business seeks in young employees.

Skipping Oxbridge for ‘Toksbridge’, this TikTok generation is putting its knowledge of tech to good use and ranks highly for social media skills. Yet despite their tech knowledge, 65% of business leaders say 16-24 year-olds struggle when it comes to basic digital skills.

Over half (56%) of the businesses BT Group spoke with find young people often struggle with simple computer-based workplace tasks, such as creating a spreadsheet, writing a professional email, or operating workplace software.

Thankfully, the jump from knowing how to use a smart phone or games console to learning business-ready digital skills can be easy

Anthony Ogbanufe, 25, from South London, chose to skip university and instead enrolled on BT Group’s apprenticeship scheme, where he found his knowledge of gaming helped him to thrive as a product designer:

“Being a big gamer helped me because I could understand how things should work well for users and it gave me intuitive design insights, which was useful when I helped redesign the BT gaming page,” he said. 

BT Group’s Work Ready events and its partnership with FastFutures is helping to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by helping young people build on their experience and confidence of using tech to learn new skills that will see them succeed in the workplace.

Nearly eight out of 10 (79%) of UK business leaders said that an employee who has learnt extra digital skills ‘stands out’ among similar candidates.

Despite having good grades, Laura Jenkinson, a 22-year-old trainee accountant from Stroud, decided to skip university to start her career. She said having digital skills helped her to thrive in a role that usually requires a degree.

“It took me a while to get to grips with things but I was glad I had stuck to my guns. Being tech savvy helped me in my first position a lot – it was something I could bring to the job when I hadn’t had any experience yet,” she said.

The UK has one of the widest digital skills gaps of any developed country, which is currently estimated by the government to cost the economy as much as £63 billion a year in potential GDP ².

Nearly 80% of business leaders said their reliance on computing skills is going to increase massively in the next few years. And for three quarters (74%) polled by BT Group, possessing real-world business-related digital skills is often as good as having a degree when it comes to hiring young people.

“While qualifications are important, they are not the be-all and end-all,” said Danielle Holmes, founder of Black Nova Designs. “Having digital skills is not just a nice-to-have, it’s a mandatory requirement. I’m not talking about becoming an expert graphic designer, I’m talking about basic skills like knowing how to use Microsoft, email management and staying safe online. You could be a mechanic or a hairdresser; in the digital age, you still need a basic tech skill set.”

BT Group’s investment in improving the UK’s digital skills is enabling its partners to offer community training designed to provide essential digital skills training for 10 million school children, families and businesses across the UK.     

22-year-old Callum Emptage graduated in 2020 with a degree in classical civilisation and philosophy, but struggled to find a job in that field. He enrolled on a BT’s Data bootcamp shortly after completing the FastFutures programme and within six months was proficient in several software applications, such as Power BI and Excel, and had learnt the fundamentals of data analysis and programming.

“I always talk about [the programme] because it literally changed my life in half a year. I went from no data skills, to a job in data analysis, and it’s crazy to think about how much things have changed since I clicked on the ad for FastFutures.’

The UK faces an alarming digital skills gap, which is having a profound impact on the country’s ability to keep up with more digitally advanced countries. Many of the digital skills employers need are taught on these courses, which are available to 16-24-year-olds nationwide.

Victoria Johnson, Digital Impact and Sustainability Campaigns and Engagement Director, BT Group, said:

“Young people may feel they don’t have the skills they need to thrive in the world of work, but the jump from being tech-savvy to business-ready isn’t as big as they might think. With such a wide digital skills gap in the UK, loads of firms are seeking people with basic digital skills that can be trained to develop into roles that would traditionally have required a degree.

“At BT Group we’re proud to be supporting young people who want to build upon what they already know about tech to learn business-relevant digital skills. Armed with digital skills, brilliant careers across a huge range of industries await the smart, ambitious, talented people who will build the diverse, inclusive internet of tomorrow.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:

¹ All research unless otherwise stated is from a Census wide poll of 500 business decision makers carried out on behalf of BT Group between 04/08/2023 - 10/08/2023. 
² Policy paper UK Digital Strategy Updated 4/10/2022

Wednesday 26^th April 2023; London, UK: BT Group has announced a new partnership with the charity AbilityNet to help improve the digital skills of 4,000 older and digitally excluded people across the UK in 2023.

The partnership will run a UK-wide ‘Senior Skills Programme’ that will deliver more than 1,000 group and one-to-one training sessions to those who need it most in regions across the UK.

Sessions will be available in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester and London. The locations were chosen based on a growing demand for tech support among older people aged 65+ in these areas.

BT Group’s own research** shows that two thirds (65%) of older people think that you’re never too old to learn new skills, with almost half (49%) open to learning tech skills specifically.

Basic digital skills have now become an almost essential requirement for day-to-day life. Older people who are without digital skills risk losing access to key services like banking, shopping and health services, as well as communications platforms that keep people connected.

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “Digital inclusion is about making sure everyone has access to the benefits that technology offers.  This new partnership with AbilityNet, and the Senior Skills programme we are creating together, seeks to dispel the mystery of tech, build confidence and awareness of misinformation, and help make a digital native out of everyone in the UK, whatever their age.”

“BT Group is committed to supporting the older generation as they adapt to using digital tools and technology. The partnership with AbiltyNet will help reach our goal of an inclusive digital future for all.”

Sarah Brain, Free Services Manager at AbilityNet, said: “Our vision at AbilityNet is to create a digital world which is accessible to everyone We’ve been helping older people and disabled people of any age with their technology for 25 years.

“The partnership with BT Group will help meet our goal to support the digitally excluded in building their confidence online and diversifying their skill set, helping people across the UK to live more independent and fulfilled lives.”

The Senior Skills programme will also work to get older and digitally excluded people online to understand and use basic services and aiding them in the switch from analogue to digital home phones.

The training will be available in person and through online resources with the aim of helping participants become more independent and able to manage day-to-day digital tasks.

40 volunteers from BT Group will help deliver the programme​. The partnership will also encourage people struggling in terms of digital skills to call a free helpline.

Notes

Data

* Centre for Ageing Better: https://ageing-better.org.uk/communities-state-ageing-2022

** Research carried out by OnePoll in October 2022 of 1500 over 60s in the UK

Nearly one in five over-60s are still struggling to adapt to an online world, according to research from BT Group.

The survey of 1,500 older adults found 39 per cent feel they are anything but ‘tech savvy’, with 18 per cent finding it difficult to get to grips with the online tasks they now have to do day-to-day.

Six in 10 think there's more pressure on older generations to adapt to using technology because they've been familiar with life without it, compared to the younger generations.

As a result, almost half want to learn more tech skills, as 46 per cent feel they have to rely on gadgets and technology on a daily basis.

In the last 10 years, the typical over-60 has learnt 12 new tech related skills including making video calls (47 per cent), online shopping (42 per cent) and how to use QR codes (32 per cent). With one in 10 using tech skills in order to feel less lonely, this festive season is a great time to encourage the older people in your life to learn new things.

Ordering prescriptions (29 per cent), selling things online (22 per cent) and streaming films and TV shows (18 per cent) also featured in the list of modern skills older adults have grown used to.

And 65 per cent believe you are never too old to learn new things.

Victoria Johnson, Social Impact Director at BT Group, said: “It’s brilliant to see through this research just how much over 60s have learnt in a short space of time and that they’re keen to keep learning. To date, we’ve helped over 14.7 million people across the UK make the most of life in the digital world thanks to our resources.

“BT Group’s purpose is to connect for good, and one of the ways we do this is by helping older people boost their confidence and understanding of digital tools and technology. To work towards an inclusive digital future for the UK, we need to ensure that everyone is getting the benefits that technology offers.”

The study also found seven in 10 of those polled had to use technology in their most recent job, including emails (69 per cent), spreadsheets (41 per cent) and group chats (19 per cent).

Many felt they have needed to adapt to an online world in order to complete life admin (37 per cent) and stay connected with others (34 per cent).

Of those surveyed 37 per cent said doing so has made their life easier, while 18 per cent said using technology has helped them feel less isolated and lonely.

The typical day sees the older age group spend an average of four hours online, by online shopping (67 per cent), paying bills (62 per cent) and keeping up to date with news (53 per cent).

Whilst  58 per cent taught themselves how to use various devices, 17 per cent took an in-person class and 29 per cent learnt via their child.

More on how BT Group can help with a range of resources can be found here: Helping you learn new digital skills 

TOP 40 TECH SKILLS OVER 60S HAVE LEARNT IN THE PAST 10 YEARS:

1. Making video calls        
2. Sending emails              
3. Online shopping           
4. Online banking              
5. Using Google Maps (or similar)            
6. Sending messages in a group chat      
7. Taking a photo on a mobile phone      
8. Using QR codes             
9. Setting up group chats on apps like WhatsApp and Messenger
10. How to connect to WiFi            
11. Using a USB stick          
12. Ordering online prescriptions
13. Booking holidays online            
14. Comparing insurance quotes 
15. Editing photos on your phone or computer               
16. Using Bluetooth            
17. Posting content on social media
18. Setting up social media accounts        
19. Making an online reservation 
20. Selling things online
21. Downloading a covid ‘pass’
22. Listening to the radio 
23. Storing things on the cloud     
24. Filming a video on a mobile phone      
25. Choosing a restaurant
26. Streaming films/TV shows      
27. Setting up home tech 
28. Using a smart speaker
29. Using spreadsheets    
30. Streaming music           
31. Ordering food on an app          
32. Setting up hands free in the car            
33. Listening to a podcast
34. Applying for jobs online            
35. Setting up /using a fitness tracker       
36. Setting up a VPN          
37. Creating a reel
38. Using hashtags on social media            
39. Using a games console              
40. Setting up a YouTube channel             

ENDS

BT Group’s purpose

BT Group’s purpose is to connect for good, and we recognise that we will only succeed if we create products and services that directly address the challenges faced by the communities and customers we serve. BT Group has a long-standing history of being a responsible business. As well as providing essential communications services, we have led on climate action for almost three decades and supported people with their digital skills, most recently through BT Group Digital Skills.

In December 2021 BT Group launched its new Manifesto, BT Group’s agenda for growth. It outlines our ambitious goals for change: our net zero carbon and circular economy pathways; our targets to help build our customers digital skills; our ambition to energise a more diverse digital talent movement. It also includes requirements for bold policy changes to enable this journey.

The BT Group Manifesto incorporates BT Group’s core beliefs and is split into three beliefs – to act more responsibly, create a more inclusive society and be more sustainable. By forming the Manifesto, BT Group is creating a movement to inspire businesses to commit to doing better; enabling the nation to take action on responsible technology, climate change and improving their digital skills.

Find out more about our beliefs here.

The survey, commissioned by BT, reveals that nearly half (44%) of UK children believe most of us will have self-driving cars, robots will do all the chores at home (42%) and we will wear watches that can tell when we’re poorly and what’s wrong with us (37%) in the next decade. While predictions for 2032 seem exciting yet feasible, kids’ imaginations run wild when they consider what’s in store for 2072.

Looking fifty years into the future, more than a third of kids envisage people will be living on other planets (34%), they expect there to be a cure for all diseases and illnesses (29%) and that there won’t be any more rubbish because everything will be recycled (35%). Not to mention, kids of the future will be the envy of kids today, as they are predicted to have robot teachers (32%) and fly to school on jetpacks (30%). 

Almost half (45%) of the kids surveyed are excited about being able to fly to school rather than walk, and the opportunity to go on holiday to space. But 42% are also looking forward to the fun things they will do in the free time technology will give them,  because chores will be done by robots. 

The biggest concerns about the future for 5–11-year-olds are another pandemic (60%), more animals becoming extinct (50%) and climate change (48%). 

The survey has been released by BT following the launch of its BT Group Manifesto in December 2021, which is the company’s agenda for growth by using technology which is responsible, inclusive, and sustainable. BT commissioned A bright future to find out what the children of today predict for the world of tomorrow. In understanding the concern and hopes of the next generation, BT aims to play its part in creating a bright, more sustainable future.

Victoria Johnson, BT’s Digital Impact and Sustainability Director, said: “Although BT has a long-standing history of being a responsible business, we are always looking ahead. We need to create products and services that directly address the challenges faced by the communities and customers we serve, today and in the future. Our Manifesto outlines our ambitious goals for change, so to future-proof our approach, who better to consult than the next generation of changemakers?

“Children have an incredible capacity for creativity, and it’s both fascinating and encouraging to see some of the ways they think we can make the world more responsible, inclusive and sustainable. Whilst I’m sure many of us relish the prospect of robots doing our household chores, I think it’s equally exciting to see how invested the very youngest members of our society are in solving some of the biggest social and environmental issues the world is tackling, as reflected by the findings in A bright future.”

The BT Group Manifesto covers three beliefs:

1. Responsible: To provide better access to technology that earns trust and transforms lives
2. Inclusive: To help the future of tech to be more inclusive and diverse
3. Sustainable: To drive quicker progress towards a circular world with zero emissions

BT has created a short film to accompany A bright future: Looking ahead with the next generation, featuring children’s responses to what they think the future will look like in fifty years. To watch visit: A Bright Future - YouTube

For more information and to download A bright future visit: www.bt.com/a-bright-future

To find out more about the BT Group Manifesto visit: BT Group Manifesto

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Notes to Editors

Methodology 

BT commissioned Fly Research to survey 1,000 5 to 11-year-olds (via parents) between 7 and 14 February 2022.

About the BT Group Manifesto:

BT’s purpose is to connect for good, and we recognise that we will only succeed if we create products and services that directly address the challenges faced by the communities and customers we serve. BT has a long-standing history of being a responsible business. As well as providing essential communications services, we have led on climate action for almost three decades and supported people with their digital skills, most recently through BT Skills for Tomorrow.

In December 2021 BT Group launched its new Manifesto, BT’s agenda for growth. It outlines our ambitious goals for change: our net zero carbon and circular economy pathways; our targets to help build our customers digital skills; our ambition to energise a more diverse digital talent movement. It also includes requirements for bold policy changes to enable this journey.

The BT Group Manifesto incorporates BT’s core beliefs and is split into three beliefs – to act more responsibly, create a more inclusive society and be more sustainable. By forming the BT Group Manifesto, BT is creating a movement to inspire businesses to commit to doing better; enabling the nation to take action on responsible technology, climate change and improving their digital skills.

Find out more about our beliefs in our Manifesto.

• BT Skills for Tomorrow has helped 10 million people across the UK improve their digital knowledge and confidence, a goal that has been reached five years ahead of schedule

• BT offers a wide range of free courses, webinars and advice to help people make the most of life in the digital world through BT Skills for Tomorrow

• BT Skills for Tomorrow has been integral in providing the nation critical support during the pandemic

BT is proud to announce that it has reached its original goal of helping 10 million people across the UK to improve their digital skills, five years ahead of schedule. Key to achieving this milestone was the success of BT’s Top Tips on Tech campaign in partnership with ITV, which helped 5.7 million people learn vital new digital skills required during lockdown.

Today BT is setting an ambitious new goal that extends the target to reach 25 million people by the end of March 2026 through its BT Skills for Tomorrow programme – helping to tackle the digital divide and supporting the UK’s economic recovery. In line with BT’s purpose to Connect for Good, the new ambition aims to help more people across the UK have the skills they need to stay connected and make the most of life in the digital world.

The digital divide, which has been accelerated by the pandemic, has significantly impacted people’s lives at home and work. Through its ambitious new target, BT is committed to continuing to help a variety of people including children and their parents, older and more vulnerable people, to job seekers and small businesses.

The programme is completely free and offers a wide range of courses, webinars and advice. Anyone can access the programme which aims to boost people’s confidence and understanding of digital tools and technology to make daily life better and help them realise their long-term ambitions.

Through BT Skills for Tomorrow, Florence Mabel Clough, 91, received support to use the internet for the first time this year, “I do get a little bit down sometimes. But just being able to talk to my family has helped a great deal. To be able to talk to and see them – it’s like a miracle to me.”

Older people, many of whom can be more isolated, often lack the skills, confidence or motivation to get online. With BT’s renewed commitment, more people like Maggie will be given the resources they need to get online.

BT has supported 278,000 small business owners and their employees learn new skills and its Small Business Support Scheme continues to help thousands of struggling small businesses boost connectivity, cash flow and confidence.

BT’s Stand Out Skills campaign helped over 468,000 jobseekers develop their confidence and skills to stand out in their job search. Through Work Ready BT has helped more than 3,000 young people who are not in employment, education or training prepare for the world of work.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact & Sustainability Officer, BT, said: “Connectivity is playing a role like never before; whether that’s allowing you to work from home, keeping your kids entertained or staying in touch with friends and loved ones. It’s amazing that millions of people have been inspired by BT Skills for Tomorrow and are embracing technology to get through this really challenging time.

“Through our digital skills initiative, we are committed to continuing to tackle these problems. That’s why we have set an ambitious new target to help people across the UK develop the skills they need to make the most of life in the digital world. At BT we want to lead the way in making sure technology helps people, ensuring we continue to build better digital lives.”

Notes to Editors

The methodology used to measure the number of people BT Skills for Tomorrow reached includes attendance numbers and video views for physical and virtual events, as well as online learning resources and video content. For advertising campaigns, BT carries out dedicated independent research on a national representative sample of people, to understand how many people’s digital knowledge or confidence was improved as a result of these campaigns.

Case study quotes:

Sally House, parent of eight-year-old Alice who used BT Skills for Tomorrow learning games: “Alice played Code Cracking, The Diamond, Barefoot Zoo and Sorting It Out. She enjoyed the games and I love that she’s practising maths skills in a fun and different way and not realising she’s actually doing maths!”

Elaine Townshend, Department for Work and Pensions on JobCentres Plus: “I would like to thank Work Ready for developing and delivering this bespoke webinar for the Department for Work and Pensions. A huge void was created during Covid-19 restrictions and our customers were missing out on mentoring and jobseeker skills. Over 850 claimants have now participated in 30 districts and the feedback continues to be really positive.”

Montana Japaul, Work Ready graduate and BT colleague: “The placement gives valuable skills to learn and take on, whatever job you go on to do. It helped me learn to stand out – you want to shine! It really boosted my confidence, I wasn’t scared to approach people, I just felt comfortable. I connected with lots of people and that led me to getting my current job at BT. Work Ready gave me confidence to try something new.”

New research from BT Skills for Tomorrow found almost a third of interviewers admit to not hiring someone based on something they have seen in a candidate’s video backdrop (28%), with a further 58% saying a messy room in the background could cost someone the job.

A poll of 500 recruitment decision-makers reveals modern day job interview faux pas, such as 20% of calls have been joined by the household pet. Other interviewees have been caught short, with 13% standing up mid-call to reveal they are dressed in joggers or underwear.

The research also polled 500 people who have taken part in a video job interview over the last 12 months. The pandemic has meant job seekers have had, on average, three virtual interviews during lockdown, with most interviews now conducted via video (56%). Remote interviews are likely to remain the new normal with 42% of interviewers wanting to continue this way after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.

While unreliable audio (25%) was also among the most common issues, one in 10 also admitted to answering a phone call during the interview. Video backdrops are viewed by some as a representation of a candidate’s work ethic, as more than two thirds of interviewers (67%) believe that applicants did not put enough thought into their background when on a virtual call.

More than half (51%) of interviewees believe video interviews are harder than those done face-to-face, and 30% have deliberately placed an ‘object of interest’ in shot behind them, to use as a talking point.

With 4 in 10 job seekers unable to land a job from virtual interviews, people need some support to impress potential employers over video. A number of candidates are already being proactive, with a third carefully tailoring their backgrounds to create a more positive impression, including books, awards and house plants.

BT Skills for Tomorrow is offering free resources and advice to support job seekers across the UK prepare for a digital future. This includes an upcoming interactive webinar – ‘be a hit at interviews’ – on 19 April 2021, designed to help jobseekers improve their interview technique, whether that’s by phone, on a video call or in person in the future.

Hannah Cornick, Head of Digital Impact, Consumer said: “Video calls are going to remain part of the hiring process well into the future, and there is an opportunity for candidates to use this to their advantage.

“Being in control of your environment and in a familiar space can help reduce nerves and allow you to showcase your personality. While you can’t always plan for unexpected interruptions, there are things you can do when preparing for a video interview to ensure you come across professionally and set yourself up for success.

“This is the time to show the interviewer your strengths and how you stand out from the crowd, without any distractions from your surroundings.”

In January this year, BT Skills for Tomorrow also launched Stand Out Skills to help candidates get in the right mindset for the journey ahead, discover the skills that businesses are looking for and understand how to make their strengths stand out. This is part of BT’s Skills for Tomorrow commitment to help 10 million people make the most of life in the digital world.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The research was conducted by One Poll.com with 500 UK adults who’ve had a job interview via video call in the past 12 months and 500 UK employed adults responsible for hiring decision at their company between the dates of 18th to 24th March 2021.

London, UK - 4^th November 2020 – Speaking today at a Digital Impact & Sustainability Business Briefing for analysts and investors, BT Group announced that its network, offices and shops worldwide are now powered with 100% renewable electricity. The company also announced that its ground breaking Top Tips on Tech campaign has helped 5.7 million people across the UK to learn and stay connected during the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Switching to renewables

BT, the joint-largest private purchaser of electricity in the UK will run its global operations on renewable electricity where markets allow^[1] and will purchase the remainder from neighbouring markets until local solutions can be found.

While challenges remain in sourcing renewable electricity in some countries, collaboration with members of the RE100 initiative is helping to make improvements in supplies.

BT’s transition to renewable electricity has been delivered through supporting the development of local renewable energy markets, with 16% of its electricity supplied through corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) and the remainder from high quality green tariffs or in a small number of markets, renewable certificates^[2].

Making the switch to 100% renewable electricity will help BT reduce its carbon emissions in the year to March 2021 by an estimated 54,000 tonnes compared to last financial year. This is the equivalent of taking around 21,000 combustion engine vehicles off the road for a year.

Cyril Pourrat, Chief Procurement Officer at BT, said: "As an organisation that consumes nearly 1% of the UK’s electricity, it is important for BT to demonstrate its commitment to a green recovery. Our team has worked hard to secure renewable electricity contracts for our sites globally, a crucial step towards the Paris agreement’s 1.5°c target.”

Welcoming the news, Sam Kimmins, Head of RE100, the Climate Group, said: “We congratulate BT on their tremendous work to switch entirely to renewable electricity. BT was an early pioneer in setting a 100% goal, and has made impressive progress. Now, by transparently sharing not only their successes but also the challenges they face in a few remaining markets, BT is helping to accelerate local solutions and unlock clean energy use around the world.”

Top Tips on Tech

Back in April, BT teamed up with some of the nation’s best-loved talent to teach the nation a range of vital digital skills including; getting to grips with the popular messaging service WhatsApp, help with home schooling, tips for getting your business online and how to use online services to help with physical and mental wellbeing.

The three-week campaign, in partnership with ITV saw Clare Balding, Rylan Clark-Neal, Peter Jones, Marcus Rashford and David Walliams, amongst others feature in 12 bitesize lessons delivered twice a day during ITV ad break takeovers.

The campaign also advised viewers on how they could access further free resources from a range of organisations – including advice and support – from BT’s Skills for Tomorrow programme*.

Independent research by Ipsos MORI* found that 64% of UK adults saw at least one advert, with 68% of people who saw the ads recall seeing an average of four ads each. 5.7 million people learnt or did something new as a result of the campaign and 2.1 million people who saw the advert continued to put the knowledge they learnt into practice.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact and Sustainability Officer at BT commented: “Connectivity is playing a role like never before; whether that’s allowing you to work from home, keeping your kids entertained or staying in touch with friends and loved ones. It’s amazing that millions of people have been inspired by our campaign and are embracing technology to get through this really challenging time.”

Transitioning to a low carbon fleet

In a bid to drive emissions down, Openreach which has the second largest commercial fleet in the UK is aiming to switch out a third of its 27,000 combustion engine vehicles to electric by 2025. With 33,000 vehicles, the entire BT Group fleet accounts for two thirds of its operational emissions.

In June 2020, BT Group including Openreach joined forces with the Climate Group to launch the UK Electric Fleets Coalition. The coalition of 27 companies has taken a leading role in communicating the benefits of switching from combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs) and has called for supportive policy measures which target 100% electric car and van sales by 2030; extend grants for electric vehicles and charging points through to at least 2023 and speed up the rollout of public charge-points across the country.

Commitment to climate action

BT has led on climate action for over 28 years and was one of the first companies in the world to adopt science-based targets, directly linking its own goals to the overall level of reductions in emissions needed to limit the most harmful impacts of the climate crisis.

As part of the transition to a low carbon business model, BT has pledged to become a net zero carbon emissions business by 2045 and has set targets in line with the most ambitious aim of the COP21 Paris Agreement - linking its targets to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Since 2016/17, BT has reduced the carbon emissions intensity of its operations by 42% and has reduced carbon emissions by 8% in its supply chain over the same timeframe.

Last year, BT helped its customers save 13m tonnes of carbon – three times as much carbon as its own end-to-end carbon emissions – achieving its 3:1 carbon abatement target one year early. For every tonne of CO2 emitted by BT – three tonnes of customer emissions were saved.

BT’s commitment to reducing its carbon intensity will help the UK Government meet its target of net zero emissions by 2050 and is calling on other companies to take similar measures and make similar commitments.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• RE100 is a global initiative bringing together the world’s most influential businesses committed to 100% renewable power. Led by the Climate Group in partnership with CDP, the group have a total revenue of over US$6.6 trillion and operate in a diverse range of sectors. Together, they send a powerful signal to policymakers and investors to accelerate the transition to a clean economy. 
• *BT’s Skills for Tomorrow programme launched in 2019 with the aim of helping 10 million people, families and businesses across the UK boost their digital know-how. Since the pandemic started, BT has ramped up the service by adding a wealth of new content aimed at providing support and helping people tackle specific difficulties they’re facing during lockdown.
• * This research carried out by Ipsos MORI used a nationally representative sample and was independently verified by social impact research agency Chrysalis Research.
• In June 2020, BT pledged its support for a green recovery launching two new initiatives; the Green Tech Innovation Platform and the UK Electric Fleets Coalition.
• For more information about BT's work on Digital Impact and Sustainability please visit: https://www.bt.com/about/digital-impact-and-sustainability
• Our Digital Impact and Sustainability report for 2019/20 can be found here: http://www.bt.com/annualreview

For further information:

Adam Emberson 07740 008408

• [1] 99.9% of the global electricity BT sources will be renewable. The remaining 0.1% represents where markets don’t allow due to non-availability of renewable electricity (this represents 8 countries from the 85 BT Group operates in).
• [2] Precluded markets: Where a renewable supply is not available either within the country or from the source market for the country, BT purchases renewable certificates in a market or country interconnected to our operations or in an adjacent market or country.

That’s understandable given the clear risks and harms caused by illegal and damaging online content, in particular for children, who can be vulnerable to abuse and exploitation. People worry about what they might experience online, from harassment to disinformation and fraud. For some, it’s enough to put them off going online at all.

There is a noisy debate about how far Government should intervene in digital markets, whether through regulation or taxation. Many companies and commentators claim to know what’s best for people or what the public want, but too often these views aren’t evidence based.

Ofcom has published some very thorough analysis of the prevalence of different sorts of online harm and offence, and the extent of people’s concern. But there has been very little published research that tests what ordinary citizens think about how such things should be regulated and why.

BT has 30 million customers right across the UK with our three brands – BT, EE and Plusnet. We want to understand what they think there is to hope or fear from technology: we want to listen to them, and to give them a voice in these debates.

That’s why we asked Demos to conduct in-depth research into public attitudes to the different ways that the worst excesses of internet behaviour could be tackled, which was the focus of the Government Online Harms White Paper last year.

The research found that there is real consensus over the need for online service and social media companies to better protect those they impact negatively, especially children. The headline results are striking and suggest that the Government has a very clear mandate to be bold with its forthcoming legislation. In a representative sample of more than 2,000 people:

• More than half (53%) have themselves experienced online harm

• Over 80% think the grooming, bullying and sexual exploitation of children are big problems for society

• A majority think that responsibility for fixing that is shared – between different sorts of companies, politicians, police, regulators and individuals themselves

• For the most serious crimes, the great majority – again over 80% - place most responsibility with the social platforms and with Government and regulators

• 77% favour ‘age verification’ measures to keep kids away from certain sites

• Over 75% support the blocking of entire websites if companies fail to take the right steps to prevent online harm

None of this means the task of framing legislation is easy, because there are some complicated trade-offs involved. For example, if both social media companies and regulators are to be held responsible for preventing harm, where does the platform’s responsibility stop and when does the regulator take over? Is it right to include the contents of private messaging services in the scope of any future regulation: at what point should an individual user’s right to privacy give way to a need to protect the wider safety of children?

Within BT, from time to time we’ve had our own internal debates about how to approach these questions. In fact, that was one of the reasons we commissioned this research in the first place – because we could all agree that the public’s voice should be the loudest and the most important.

The research shows that many people are willing to make some sacrifices to their individual online liberties for the sake of the wider community’s protection and security. For example:

• 64% want to stop online user anonymity because they think it allows more harmful behaviour

• 65% say people should not be free to express themselves online if what they say causes harm or serious distress to someone else

• 58% would be happy to see barriers to harmful content put up, even if that means accidentally censoring some non-harmful content

However, it’s important to say that these responses also seem to be less clear-cut than others. When tested in focus groups, people raised concerns about who should be able to decide what is harmful, and how. Perhaps counter-intuitively, some of those who have themselves been direct victims of online harm are less likely to see it as a big problem for society, or to propose the strongest action. But there are also some who decide to leave online spaces entirely, given their experiences there.

The most divisive question Demos asked was about whether it should be possible for government agencies to access the contents of private messages between two people, in order to identify and prevent the most serious crimes, such as child abuse and terrorism. Respondents were split roughly 50/50.

When people were given more time to talk this through in groups, they were quick to focus on issues such as the boundaries that could be put around access, and the checks and balances that could ensure the authorities targeted any extreme intervention of this sort at the most extreme examples of criminal behaviour. In other words, they got straight to the sort of debate you might expect to hear in Parliament.

All of which leads me to make two very broad suggestions to DCMS on the back of this research.

First, press on and publish a draft Bill as soon as possible – there is a strong public demand for this legislation; the principles are very clear; and if appointed as the regulator Ofcom will do a great job.

At the same time: invite more open scrutiny and deliberation on the really tricky questions, about how to regulate in a way that provides both freedom and protection to all online citizens in the UK. These are fundamentally democratic questions, and many of the right answers are likely to come from further research and consultation with citizens themselves.

- Alex Towers, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, BT Group

Demos’s summary of their findings is here: https://demos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Online-Harms-A-Snapshot-of-Public-Opinion.pdf

Their summary of focus groups: https://demos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Full-Polling-tables.pdf

Full Polling results: https://demos.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Polling-and-Focus-Group-Toplines.pdf

Parents admit finding it difficult to understand aspects of the digital world causing over half (56%) to avoid discussing technology and social media with their children, and instead preferring to discuss the ‘birds and the bees’. These were part of the findings revealed in a new study by BT Skills for Tomorrow in which 57% of parents surveyed said they ask their kids to help them when it comes to advice on new apps and technology.

With digital technology transforming every element of our day to day lives, it’s increasingly vital that parents have the knowledge they need to talk with their children about how they use technology. Whilst many parents are familiar with classic acronyms used on social media by children, such as LOL, BTW and ATM, new acronyms remain a mystery. Only one in five parents understand POS (parent over shoulder) and 10% don’t understand any acronyms at all. Similarly, 35% of parents say they aren’t familiar with the platforms and apps their children frequently use.

To support parents and guardians across the UK, BT has launched Skills for Tomorrow, a new programme to give 10 million people the skills they need for the digital world. The online platform hosts free resources and online courses covering all areas of life, including parent-specific information to give them knowledge and confidence online to empower them in supporting their children’s digital lives.

Professor Kerensa Jennings, Digital Impact Director, BT, said: “New technology is constantly changing family life, so we want to help parents feel more confident about helping their children to navigate the online world. From protecting children’s privacy to managing screen time, at BT we know how important it is for parents to have these important conversations with their kids from an early age. Our Skills for Tomorrow programme is here to help families build confidence and understanding so that they can support their children to have a happy, healthy and safe time online.”

Carolyn Bunting, CEO, Internet Matters, said: “Conversations about your child's online world don't have to be tricky or uncomfortable. Speaking to your child from a young age allows you to create an environment where children share their digital experiences, so it’s important parents have the confidence to support their children and navigate any issues they may face.

"With BT's Skills for Tomorrow, parents now have a fantastic place where they can learn how to help their children safely master the digital world and encourage them to make the most of the opportunities the online world has to offer."​​

With the launch of Skills for Tomorrow, BT is helping to close the digital skills knowledge gap that exists between parents and children - one in five children don’t believe their parents can help them with a technology-based question in the home. BT is committed to supporting and encouraging parents to have these important conversations around technology with their children, starting early.

As partners of the Tech4Good awards, BT celebrates ingenious ideas and individuals who are transforming society and helping to tackle the UK’s acute digital skills shortage, which is already costing the UK economy £63bn a year.

Mihika said: “I was so excited to be shortlisted, and I can’t believe I’ve won! My brother Arnav was a part of the Tech4Good awards in 2016 and that really inspired me to start thinking more about how technology can help other people. I can’t wait to work with BT to develop the Smart Stick further so that we reach more people who really need it.”

Mihika first began developing her next-generation Smart Stick when she was just six years old after witnessing a blind woman stumble while crossing the road. The aid utilises right and left vibrating alerts, a water sensor, LED lights and a camera with Artificial Intelligence, to recognise and track obstacles that a normal stick cannot. The new Smart Stick helps blind and visually-impaired people walk more safely and with greater independence. Mihika will receive £5,000 of tech equipment of her choice, as well as focused sessions with BT experts, to help develop her project.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact and Sustainability Officer, BT, said: “As technology continues to fundamentally reshape our world it’s important that we celebrate those young people who are actively shaping the future. We’re proud that the Tech4Good awards empower a new generation of inventors with society’s best interests at heart. We’re looking forward to working closely with Mihika to bring her invention to life.”

This year’s finalists for the award are part of a growing trend of school- children actively thinking about using technology to help solve some of society’s biggest challenges. According to new research*, four in ten (37%) children think that the best thing about technology is helping other people and one in three children thinks that technology should improve society.

Robin Christopherson MBE, awards judge and Head of Digital Inclusion at AbilityNet said: “Mihika's ingenious entry combines several smart technologies and has the potential to help considerably improve the lives of many blind and low-vision white cane users. Incorporating a range of sensors, the Smartstick assists the user in several ways; to avoid hazards such as deep puddles, as well as giving important 'haptic' directional feedback via Bluetooth audio - a potential lifesaving feature for those who are deafblind. Add in the customisable 3D-printed cane for smaller children, and this one's a clear winner.”

The Highly Commended Award in the BT Young Pioneer Category went to Josh Lowe and Edublocks, an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop tool which helps young people code with programming language Python 3. The tool has been rolled out across various UK schools in an effort to make coding more accessible than ever before. Along with the other finalists, Joshua will receive tickets to explore Bletchley Park, the once top-secret home of World War 2 codebreakers.

For further information on the award winners, please visit: https://www.tech4goodawards.com/about/

Notes to editors

The Young Pioneer Award is part of the Tech4Good Awards, run by disability charity Ability Net, celebrates companies, charities and individuals that use the empowering influence of digital technology – whether it’s at home, at work, in education – to benefit the community.

*The research for BT was carried out online by Opinion Matters 21/03/19 to 26/03/19 amongst a panel resulting in 1000 parents and 1000 children aged 9-18 years old responding. All research conducted adheres to the MRS Codes of Conduct (2010) in the UK and ICC/ESOMAR World Research Guidelines. Opinion Matters is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office and is fully compliant with the Data Protection Act (1998).

Four winners have been selected across a number of categories which recognise entries from primary schools, secondary schools, special educational needs (SEN) schools and after school clubs. Each school was asked to submit a short video to demonstrate how they would spend the funding to benefit their pupils.

The winner of the primary school category is Euxton Primrose Hill primary school, based in Chorley, Lancashire, who plan to use the money to invest in equipping an entire class with virtual reality headsets to enhance learning experiences for their pupils.

Gareth Caunce, head teacher at Euxton Primrose Hill, said: “We really could not be more thrilled. As a result of their efforts, all the children at Primrose Hill will now have the opportunity to utilise virtual reality to enhance our curriculum.”

Moor Hey Special Needs School in Preston, Lancashire, impressed the judges to scoop the prize in the secondary school category. The school will be using its prize money to purchase laptops, iPads and virtual reality equipment, to enhance the learning experience of pupils with a range of special educational needs.

Debbie Townsend, English subject leader at Moor Hey Special Needs School, commented: “The laptops will be a very welcomed resource for our school and will help enhance learning across all key stages. Our pupils are very proud of this achievement and it has taught them the valuable lesson that 'you have to be in it to win it' and having special needs does not mean that you can't achieve great things in life."

Meanwhile, the winner of the special educational needs (SEN) category, Frewen College, plan to use their winning funds to update their equipment, assisting their pupils with special educational needs.

Sally Welch, head of Frewen Prep School, said: “Assistive Technology - dyslexia-friendly software - has made such a difference to our dyslexic students. For example, one of our pupils can now dictate his stories so he is able to really enjoy story writing.” Sally continued, “We will be spending the prize money on more IT, including upgrading our existing computers so we can maximise the effectiveness of Assistive Technology.”

Finally, the winner of the after school club category, North Tyneside Trust’s Little DigiLadies club, based in North Shields, will be using the funding to help to develop girls’ technology skills.

Laura Dickinson, eLearning lead practitioner at North Tyneside Trust, commented: “Our Little DigiLadies were so excited to receive their DigiLadies Kit Box, full of robotic equipment that can be used to run after school coding clubs. The kit boxes are allowing the girls to work collaboratively across schools on coding projects to raise standards, inspiring them to have careers in technology."

Helen Slinger, director of BT Business Direct, said: “Congratulations to this year’s winners, who really impressed the judging panel with some brilliant examples of how schools can utilise technology to enhance learning for pupils. At BT we are excited to support an initiative that provides technology funding for a future generation. Investment in IT equipment for schools will enable pupils to develop their digital skills early on, better preparing them for an increasingly digital world.”

This competition forms part of BT’s long term commitment to boost digital skills in the UK. The BT-sponsored Barefoot computing programme, now in its fifth year, has delivered free classroom-ready teaching resources to over 70,000 teachers across 60% of the UK’s primary schools. By helping pupils develop basic computing skills, teachers are preparing them for today’s digital world and their future careers.

For more information and to view the winning school pitch videos, as well as the runners up you can visit the BT Business Direct website: https://www.businessdirect.bt.com/promotions-and-press-releases/latest-news/tech-factor/

Look out for more details about Tech Factor 2019 coming soon at: www.businessdirect.bt.com

BT is a strategic partner and will contribute significantly over the next four years, putting the Barefoot teaching resources for primary age children at the heart of the NCCE’s offer for primary school teachers. The BT-funded and managed Barefoot computing programme delivers free classroom-ready teaching resources for primary schools, in line with the national curriculum. BT will also be creating a new network of Barefoot Ambassadors and sponsoring teacher bursaries to enable Barefoot teachers to access NCCE training.

As part of their ambition to ensure no child is left behind Rolls-Royce will sponsor bursaries for schools to enable them to take full advantage of the opportunities on offer through the NCCE. This will complement their extensive existing school engagement programme delivered through STEM Learning’s Project ENTHUSE.

Arm will also sponsor bursaries enabling teachers in areas where pupils make the least progress and have the poorest access to high-quality schools, to access Continuing Professional Development through the NCCE. Furthermore, the Arm School Program is working with its partners – including the NCCE and Computing at School – to develop quality, free-to-access teaching and learning resources.

This investment will particularly help increase the number of pupils in schools and colleges studying computer science at GCSE, AS and A level, particularly girls and those in disadvantaged areas.

Yvonne Baker, Chief Executive of STEM Learning, on behalf of the NCCE said, “Having the support of industry is vital to the overall success of the NCCE, and so we are delighted to be able to announce our first round of sponsors. Businesses are very aware that the young people benefitting from this investment will be their workforce of tomorrow. High quality, knowledgeable teaching of computing is the cornerstone of achieving this.”

Philip Jansen, BT’s Group Chief Executive, said “A dynamic economy requires a tech literate society, where young people don’t just consume technology, but really know how it works. Our children need the skills to become the problem solvers and digital innovators of the future. The NCCE is a critical step towards this and I’m delighted BT will be its first strategic partner, bringing our work in primary schools through Barefoot Computing to even more teachers and their pupils.”

Paul Broadhead, Head of Community Investment & Education Outreach, Rolls-Royce said “Through our existing work with Project ENTHUSE we know that high quality continuous professional development for teachers makes a real, positive difference for young people and so we are thrilled to be helping amazing teachers to enthuse their students about ours and their digital futures.”

“Arm is committed to working with partners such as the NCCE to close the skills gap and engage the next generation in STEM disciplines such as computing,” said Graham Budd, President and Chief Operating Officer, Arm. “The NCCE will play a vital role in encouraging more students from all backgrounds to expand their experience of computing inside and outside of school. Additionally, our Arm School Program will support the NCCE on a variety of key initiatives over the coming years.”

You can find out more information about the National Centre for Computing Education and sign up to hear more by visiting the home page

Organisations wanting to get involved with the work of the National Centre for Computing Education can visit the employers page

Notes to editors:

• The National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE) was established in November 2018 with £84 million of Government funding and was supported by a further £1 million from Google to develop training for secondary school computing teachers.
• The government’s decision to substantially invest in computer science in schools followed a Royal Society report, After the Reboot, which showed computing education across the UK was patchy and fragile. It called for action to be taken in a swift and coordinated way by government, industry, and non-profit organisations.
• The NCCE aims to increase the number of pupils in schools and colleges who study computer science at GCSE, AS and A level, particularly girls and in disadvantaged areas, and ensure that there is a strong pipeline of digital skills.
• The NCCE is funded by the Department for Education and is being delivered by a consortium of STEM Learning, Raspberry Pi Foundation and BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.
• STEM Learning is the UK’s largest provider of education and careers support in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It has a mission to improve lives through world-leading STEM education. For more information, visit www.stem.org.uk
• The Raspberry Pi Foundation creates world class educational resources for computing and computer science used by millions of people each year, and has developed online courses that have supported tens of thousands of computing educators. For more information, visit www.raspberrypi.org
• BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT is the professional body for computing and, as part of its Royal Charter, sets and maintains academic and professional standards in computing. For more information, visit www.bcs.org
• Interview opportunities are available.

India’s population includes 120 million adolescent girls, which is about 10 per cent of the population. Many of these young women have little control over their own futures and face multiple barriers to fulfilling their potential. India has the highest rate of teen pregnancy globally and 18 per cent of girls drop out before they finish secondary school; furthermore, 27 per cent of women are married before the age of 18.

The British Asian Trust and BT’s partnership will encourage young people to recognise their potential, with a focus on young women. Working in and around some of India’s largest urban centres, near to BT operations in Gurugram, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata, the programme aims to help improve the education opportunities, health and skills of around 500,000 young people, giving them greater control over their futures.

The BT-British Asian Trust partnership will explore the different ways technology can be used to break down social barriers, as well as use BT’s technology and the skills of its people to positively impact the lives of young people in India, focusing on:

• Education of girls and boys in India – building a strong foundation for life-long learning and skills development
• Employability of adolescent girls – improving their skills in key areas, as well as encouraging their curiosity and passion for learning
• Health choices – increasing the confidence of young women and their ability to make decisions about their own health
• Autonomy – Helping women and girls to understand their rights and gain greater control over their futures

The four partners chosen under the BT-British Asian Trust partnership to date are:

• Breakthrough, which will work through schools as well as the government health system and communities to ensure that young women and men adopt positive gender norms to tackle gender-based discrimination. It will use digital media and tech to sensitise communities and girls about gender roles and health and hygiene services, and train teachers and frontline health workers to improve services for girls.
• IT for Change, which will work with girls in schools through workshops and classroom-based training in rights-based perspectives on gender equality, sexual and reproductive health, and digital literacy. This will include creating digital labs in schools to train girls as well as teachers, and video clubs that enable girls to create digital learning materials that will be used for peer learning among other girls in Bengaluru.
• Going To School, which will design content for young people that connects employability and skills training with gender norms change, including games, movies, lessons and case studies, delivered both through direct delivery in schools and a mobile app that will reach hundreds of thousands of girls.
• Splash, which will equip public girls’ schools in Kolkata with quality washing infrastructure: hand washing stations, water filtration systems, sanitation facilities with doors and locks, and menstrual hygiene waste bins. It will utilize technology to manage both the large-scale change process and to monitor behaviour change at individual level.

As part of their collaboration programme, BT and the British Asian Trust are also partnering on an innovative funding initiative called a Development Impact Bond (DIB). This DIB aims to improve literacy and numeracy skills for more than 300,000 children, drive a focus towards outcomes in the development sector and transform the way education is funded in India. This DIB brings together an impressive coalition of public and private sector partners, and the funding in year one will be invested into three education NGOs.

BT Group Chief Executive, Philip Jansen, said “The world of work has changed enormously during the 30 years BT has been in India. We recognise that digital technologies have the potential to transform opportunities for this and future generations of girls. We’re delighted to be partnering with the British Asian Trust to deliver sustainable social impacts, and hope to galvanise our team of 10,500 BT people based in India to support this programme.”

The British Asian Trust also brings its own strong track record in delivering ambitious and innovative partnerships that drive economic empowerment and growth in India.

Richard Hawkes, Chief Executive of the British Asian Trust, said “At the British Asian Trust, we pride ourselves on taking an innovative approach to tackling development challenges. Brokering partnerships and promoting economic development through scalable solutions is at the heart of what we do.

“We’re delighted to find a partner in BT who shares this vision and we’re excited to be working together with them on a programme that will directly improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of adolescent girls across India.” ­­

ENDS

Notes to editor

About the British Asian Trust

The British Asian Trust supports the development of a South Asia that maximises the potential of its people, and that is free from inequality and injustice. It was founded in 2007 by His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales and a group of visionary British Asian business leaders. The British Asian Trust backs sustainable solutions to the challenges of poverty and injustice and has already touched more than four million lives in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Jāṅgala develops specialised low cost Wi-Fi tools, which can be set up in a matter of minutes, providing connectivity in humanitarian situations including refugee camps, disaster relief and at-sea rescue. In late 2015, the Jāṅgala team designed and built the first Wi-Fi network in the Jungle, a refugee camp in Calais, helping connect over five thousand people per week.

Since then, Jāṅgala has equipped sixteen groups across three continents, providing terabytes of data and helping thousands of refugees stay connected to the people and services that matter to them. More than 135 million people are in need of humanitarian support globally, and Jāṅgala aims to be in a position to distribute 100 more Wi-Fi systems by the end of 2019. ^[1]

Rich Thanki, Co-founder of Jāṅgala, said: “Internet access is crucial for the millions of people displaced around the world, as well as the thousands of professional and voluntary organisations working tirelessly to assist. We set up Jangala because we saw the need for low-cost Wi-Fi systems that could be set up anywhere in the world with no technical expertise. We’re excited to be working with BT, both to help groups on the ground today and to develop the technologies needed to connect the people who will be displaced by climate change in the future”

BT will support Jāṅgala with funding and world-leading technical expertise as it increases the sophistication of its tools and expands its operations. BT’s funding has already led to Jāṅgala expanding further into Italy and Serbia. In addition, BT’s Emergency Response Team is benefiting from Jāṅgala’s leading technology to provide first response disaster relief in the UK and across the globe.

Andy Wales, Chief Digital Impact and Sustainability Officer at BT, said: “We know connectivity is a key concern in any humanitarian situation, with many of those affected asking for a Wi-Fi password before they do water or food. We’re delighted that through working together with Jāṅgala we can help more people, in more situations, than ever before.”

Jāṅgala currently has three solutions, the Big Box, Small Box and Wet Box all designed to provide connectivity in humanitarian situations of different sizes and a variety of locations. The group’s ultimate aim is to produce a commercial offering, any profits of which will be re-invested in its charitable arm.

Jāṅgala has recently been awarded TEAC UK’s (a collaboration between BT and Facebook aimed at developing next-generation telecoms technology) Special Award for its work in the charity sector. As winners of the Special Award, Jāṅgala will have six months free membership to Innovation Martlesham, an incubator based at BT’s world renowned labs, Adastral Park, which is designed to nurture technology companies.

The BT-sponsored Barefoot computing programme, now in its fifth year, has delivered free classroom-ready teaching resources to over 70,000 teachers across 60% of the UK’s primary schools. By helping pupils develop basic computing skills, teachers are preparing them for today’s digital world and their futures – which are very likely to involve technology.

By 2022 the UK will need an additional 500,000 workers in digital industries, which is three times the number of computer science graduates the UK has produced in the last 10 years. This is why the Barefoot programme is so important today; it provides primary school children with basic computing skills and provides teachers with lesson plans to promote problem-solving, creativity and collaboration among their pupils.

Lily Sellers, a teacher from Ashmount Primary school said “I registered with the Barefoot programme because I wanted to empower teachers at my school. I wanted them to realise that teaching computing can be simple, fun and uncomplicated.”

“The Barefoot resources support teachers by helping young children understand challenging concepts such as algorithms in a really enjoyable, practical and hands-on way. The resources are also so open-ended, making them inclusive and ensuring that all children can develop their logical thinking skills at their own pace. We love using Barefoot resources at Ashmount and we highly recommend that all schools give them a try.”

Barefoot Programme:

• Two million children engaged so far
• 70,000 teachers already accessing free resources
• 60% of UK primary schools part of programme
• Launched by the Department for Education in 2014
• Built for teachers by teachers
• Created by Computing at School and funded by BT,
• Supported by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and the Raspberry Pi Foundation

To mark today’s announcement a new Barefoot website has also been launched which provides even more lesson plans for teachers. A typical lesson plan consists of tasks which are designed to improve pupils’ understanding of concepts like algorithms in a way that improves their ability to think logically and creatively. The website will also include a new lesson plan which helps educate pupils on using the internet safely and what ‘consent’ means in terms of controlling their personal information and identity.

Gavin Patterson, CEO of BT Group said “I am incredibly proud of how many teachers and children have been involved in the Barefoot programme and benefitted from the fantastic resources available. Increasingly, our jobs rely on people having digital skills; which is why the Barefoot programme not only delivers tech skills – it delivers life skills.”

“Well done to the teachers, Barefoot team and of course to the two million pupils who have made the programme the success it is today. We live in a world powered by technology. Let’s make sure the next generation can thrive in it, and work together to get Barefoot to all primary aged children in the UK as fast as possible.”

Paul Fletcher CEO of the BCS, Chartered Institute of IT said “Barefoot is a brilliant example of what effective partnership between industry, government and the third sector looks like in practice. It is the alchemy of three partners with a shared goal, coming together to make something very special happen.”

“Through BCS and our Computing at School network of teachers, we brought the classroom expertise, and BT brought the capability and capacity to scale up and to a sustainable, programme available to all computing teachers across the whole of the UK. I am incredibly proud of what collectively, we’ve all achieved.”

If you are interested in hearing about Barefoot programme, please visit https://www.barefootcomputing.org/ to get inspired and inspire others today!