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270,000 families to receive broadband and free laptops

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Posted 11th January 2010 at 9:43am by Oliver Folkard

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The government has pledged to make free laptops and broadband access available to over 270,000 low-income families in the UK.

Some £300 million in funding is to be freed up for the project to support families unable to afford access to the web.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he wanted every household in the country to have broadband access to the internet, something which he sees as crucial to their educational attainment.

Mr Brown stated: "We want every family to become a broadband family, and we want every home linked to a school. For those finding it difficult to afford this... I can announce the nationwide rollout of our home access programme to get laptops and broadband at home for 270,000 families.

"It will mean all families can come together, learn together and reap rewards together."

Last week, the government announced the launch of a £1 billion broadband fund, designed to provide internet access to businesses and consumers in remote rural areas.

More news on: Broadband laptops

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9 comments

  • Hazel Louise Williams, 11th January 2010.

    I am on a very low income and i would like the free laptop for my 12-year-old sister. She lives with me full time and is in full time education.

    Reply

  • Mark Tinger, 11th January 2010.

    Whilst it is clearly important for any pupil to have access to the Internet today, how is 'poor' defined? Do you have to 'sign-on' first? And how is the request processed? On what grounds?

    Next subject will be: "Who is the lucky manufacturer?" - And will Microsoft give away free operating systems? I doubt it. If any chance - families can get a voucher and have to order from a government controlled website....but how? No PC!

    I can see cost effective operating systems working within the scheme, like the new "whytwitter Netbook Pack". Works like Chrome OS and has full support included, makes a difference from any other Linux based platform. But the hardware problem will remain, so will be the definition of 'poor'.

    Reply

  • Ms Donna Macveigh, 14th January 2010.

    While watching GMTV on 14/01/10 I heard about free laptops for poorer families with children. I phoned up 0333 200 1004 to find out i would be eligible for one but it is only for children in England.

    My 9yr old is English, we just moved back to my homeland 1yr ago, as usual one rule for one and one for another.

    Reply

  • John, 19th January 2010.

    Never mind about the kids. What about the nations OAPs? We would like a free PC. Any ideas?

    Reply

  • Steve, 5th February 2010.

    I'm on Jobseeker's Allowance and asked about a free laptop. I was told that even though I have an old and somewhat shaky PC, I cannot have a free laptop for that reason. Apparently if you have a computer in the house, however old it may be, you still have one.

    Gordon Brown: Stop giving stuff to people that have literally just come into the contry and not paid anything into are society. Before going onto JSA, I was a postman for 20 years and got sacked after being hospitalised with glandular fever.

    Reply

  • Dan, 8th February 2010.

    So far weve got someone complaining they cant get a free laptop even though they don't live in the country any more and we've got another one stating that they have a computer who is complaining because they want a new one.

    As they always say, you can't please everyone.

    Reply

  • Mr J.A. Oliver, 22nd February 2010.

    I reckon it should be "means tested" if you are on jobseekers allowance, income support or other benefits or earning less than £5000 a year basic pay, before overtime, regardless of whether you have a computer or not.

    I reckon you should be eligible for a FREE new desktop or laptop computer up to say £520 in value, which is like getting £10 a week for a year. I would not say that is asking very much!!

    Reply

  • Zahra Alnashash, 4th March 2010.

    I want to ask you about the free laptop and how I can apply for it?

    Reply

  • Dan, 5th March 2010.

    @ Mr J.A. Oliver
    1-A laptop from big high street names costs £300. So why the need for £520?
    2- The scheme is to get people on the internet who can't afford it. So why give them a laptop if they are already on the internet, it is not an upgrade.
    3-So if someone has been on jobseekers allowance for two weeks they should be elligible for a lappy. I don't think that's right.

    Reply

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