Laptops plan for poorest children
Updated on 15 August 2008
The Government is looking at ways to provide around a million of England's poorest children with home access to the internet, it has emerged.
Ministers have been consulting with big hitters in the computer and broadband industries to determine the best way for equipment and access to be subsidised in order to ensure children do not fall behind at school.
Channel 4 News said the Government was planning to hand out a million free laptops at a cost of £100 million - a figure dismissed as having been "plucked out of thin air" by a source at the Department for Children, Schools and Families. But a department spokesman did admit widespread consultation was ongoing on how internet access could be broadened, with announcements expected in the autumn.
The timing would tie in with beleaguered Prime Minister Gordon Brown's highly expected "relaunch" to boost Labour's flagging popularity at the polls.
Ministers have been talking to a group of industry experts to look at how children can have access to broadband for school work, believing there is a clear link between home access and improved academic performance.
With more schools putting course materials and learning resources online, they fear that children without access to home broadband could fall behind.
The spokesman said: "Around a million children and their families have no access to a computer at home. Ministers are absolutely clear that it is unacceptable to have a digital divide, which simply reinforces social and academic divisions.
"Our expert Home Access Taskforce has identified a clear case for Government intervention to address the digital divide, with the aim of ensuring all children and their families can benefit from home access to technology.
"Ministers are considering the detailed recommendations over the summer and expect to make a full announcement in the autumn. This is a uniquely complex project, involving public, private and voluntary sectors working together to tackle a growing social issue, so it makes sense to take our time in considering the proposals.
"We will continue to engage with industry and others to determine exactly what can and should be done. We will be examining in detail the issues of safety, technical support, funding, administering and managing the scheme, alongside the economic and educational benefits of home access."
These news feeds are provided by an independent third party and Channel 4 is not responsible or liable to you for the same.
