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Free computer scheme re-launched by Government

The Prime Minister is set to announce a scheme - the same scheme he announced back in 2008 -to give free computers and broadband access to low income families.

By Jennifer Scott, 11 Jan 2010 at 11:57

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The Government is set to re-launch an initiative today, giving free computers and broadband access to low income families.

The Prime Minister initially announced the scheme back in September 2008 saying it would apply to those on less than £16,040 per year, although this fgure could be revised.

However it will see £300 million invested into giving households funding for a laptop and a 12 month broadband subscription as before.

Gordon Brown decided today to reiterate this pledge during a speech with Schools Secretary Ed Balls, providing the Home Access scheme for 270,000 low income families.

It is described on the Number 10 website as “part of a Government drive to close the digital and educational divide between rich and poor and help keep parents in touch with their child’s progress.”

A full roll out of the scheme is set for 2011 following successful trials back in February 2009.

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6 comments

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no help to rural digital britain poor kids...

What poor Gordon doesn't realise is that 90% of uk land mass is too far from an exchange to get a decent broadband connection. This means 40% of the population won't be able to get a connection of any worth. In rural areas many can't get a connection to adsl at all, and mobile is equally unattainable. Gordon obviously believes the lies and spin from the telcos and ofcom. It is time he realised that high speed broadband means 1000meg for a tenner a month, not a paltry contended 'up to 2meg' through an obsolete victorian copper phone network. He would do better making telcos replace copper with fibre, and deliver ubiquitous broadband to the people. They would soon invest in equipment instead of sky dishes or toys to access an information superhighway that actually worked. Fibre to the home would put britain in the forefront, help the economy and the country. Leaving us in the digitalslowlane on copper and dishing out free laptops is not the way to go.

By cyberdoyle on Monday Jan 11

yup...

What cyberdoyle said. :-)

By Ip5_df4779ec5dd on Tuesday Jan 12

successful trials

They give away laptops and broadband connections, how could it not be successful?

By coldstream on Tuesday Jan 12

No help for him..

You've seriously misunderstood Mr. Brown, Cyberdoyle, IMHO. You simply can't do anything so rash as attribute commonsense and logic to our revered premier! What were you thinking!? It's not a question of "doesn't realise" - the poor man cannot understand!

By Klobba on Tuesday Jan 12

this free computers scheme re launched by goverment

ok so they are giving free computers to the poor families who get free school meals. some kids dont get free school meals because they would rather eat sandwichs or go to the shop to have lunch then eat their horrid school dinners. but people who have seen this will now change that and get their kids free school meals so they get a free computer. come on gordon brown you could do better than this. free internet for a year thats brilliant for kids who are in year 10 but what about these kids who are in years 7 or 8 at school they more internet more than a year to help them with their education.

By sarahlou10 on Monday Mar 15

Why a laptop & importing more could be done for less

It didn't happened. And now much more could be done for less. From looking into the vast number of recycled PCs and accessories to new UK lead innovations like the computer board for £22 the "Raspberry Pi". The extra saving could fund supporting the donation with broadband access. This also fits in with the current government claims to wanting to improve the skills in computer science and programing with the inexpensive computer hardly more expensive than a few school text books.

By Ip_gfge5146c4406 on Sunday Jan 15