A New Era Begins in UK Cinema...

Birmingham is about to become home to your next favourite film.

Following the unprecedented success of his TV series Peaky Blinders, director Steven Knight CBE has opened Digbeth Loc. Studios, a world-class film production centre in the heart of the city.

The studios will provide more than 700 quality jobs. On top of that, Digbeth Loc. will provide all sorts of opportunities for the next generation of directors to learn the art of blockbuster-making.

The first of three studios will be ready by July. International TV and film-making will then begin later this year, in October. All of Knight’s future productions, including the Peaky Blinders feature-length film will be made at Digbeth Loc.

That’s not all though. The studios are confirmed as the new home of MasterChef and much more will follow. It’s wonderful to see the UK’s creative industries roaring back from the immense challenges of the pandemic. Digbeth Loc. will join the myriad of exceptional studios that are bringing your favourite global superstars to the UK. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show. The country has much to look forward to.

What Causes Child Poverty?

The Lamwyk team is committed to using our platform to help the third sector. This column looks at some of the most challenging issues that charities must respond to. This month we’re highlighting child poverty.

Staggering statistics from the charity Child Poverty Action Group showed that as of 2020-21, 3.9 million children were living in poverty throughout the UK. Moreover, 75% of those children lived in homes where at least one parent was employed.

Many people argue that child poverty should not be society’s problem. They suggest that responsibility for the quality of a child’s lifestyle should rest solely with parents. ‘Why can’t today’s parents be more like our parents?’ they often complain.

The sad reality is that not all parents have good opportunities to build successful careers. In 2023, it’s possible to work all hours on a zero-hours contract and still earn less than minimum wage once agency commissions and travel costs have reduced your take-home pay.

Worse still, cycles of generational un(or under)employment and depression can create situations where some people give up on any hope of improving their lives through employment.

Meanwhile, millions of children are suffering from empty tummies and freezing temperatures every day. They don’t have time to wait for grown-ups to finish arguing about who’s to blame for the immense challenges they face.

These children urgently need your help.

There are many children’s charities that individuals and businesses can support. With your help those charities can ensure that a greater number of happy and fully-fed kids go to school in fresh, warm clothing ready to learn and further their education. Through these organisations, you can also help talented young people explore their entrepreneurial ambitions, bringing huge value to local communities.

What’s more important than improving young lives?