Free Laptops and Broadband // February 8th, 2010 // Constituency News
The Government has launched a scheme to give 270,000 low income families a free computer and free broadband access, under a major drive to close the digital and educational divide between rich and poor and help keep parents in touch with their child’s progress.
Hundreds of families with school age children across the Edgbaston Constituency could benefit from the scheme.
Eligibility for the Home Access Grant is based on the Free Schools Meal criteria which means that applicants can apply if they are registered for Free School Meals or if they receive one of the qualifying benefits (income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and an income of less than £16,040, income-based Employment Support Allowance or the Guaranteed element of the Pension Credit).
Applicants will also have to meet the other eligibility criteria, namely: They have a child in years 3-9; They attend a state-maintained school in England or have their place paid for by an English Local Authority or DCSF; They have not benefited under Home Access or CfP in the past.
Carers and foster parents for Looked After Children in school years 1 to 13 are likely to also be eligible for Home Access.
Gisela Stuart is urging local parents to check whether they qualify under the ‘Home Access programme’ by calling 0333 200 1004 or visiting www.homeaccess.org.uk
Gisela said:
“Computers are no longer a luxury for the few, but these days are just as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper.
“That’s why I welcome this new scheme to make sure children without the internet at home aren’t left behind. It will give children the opportunity to do coursework and research on the internet - helping children succeed in school and get the skills they need to get good jobs in the future.
“It will also help parents get more involved in their child’s education, develop new skills and apply for jobs online.”
3 Comments to “Free Laptops and Broadband”
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I think this is a great and well needed initiative but I think it excludes many families who need this support as much as the families that meet the eligibility criteria and I think it therefore needs to looked at again
For example I work 16 per week. I receive child tax credit and working tax credit and I am a lone parent.
Once my rent, council tax, school meals (and all the other things I didn’t have to pay for while on benefits) are payed for I am no better of than not working at all. Yet my children aged 9 and 12 yrs are not eligible for the laptop scheme. We do not have PC and internet access at home.
I have on several occasions written notes for my daughter in year 7, explaining why she hasn’t been able to complete online home work tasks on time, due to me not being able to provide the needed resource. The school subscribes to SAM Learning which she is meant to access every day and have her progress tracked - This is impossible for my daughter to do and she is missing out. We are not eligible, simply because I chose to work part-time and live within my means!
There are so many government initiatives - ie to get lone parents into work - particularly part-time, but once you take that step it can actually be harder to provide for your children and time poverty and work stress gets added to the agenda. If you live in a deprive area, may have a lack of education yourself and are from a disadvantage background, are only offered under performing schools etc. Just because you decide to improve your prospects by getting a part-time poorly paid job doesn’t mean that all the other factors disappear and your children shouldn’t be entitled to the scheme In question and many other schemes - free school meals for a start. There should at least be means tested discounts available.
Another thing that should be means tested ( although this is a separate issue but still relates to having a computer and internet_ is the TV licence. How can someone on benefits be expected to pay the same rate as a millionaire? And its not a choice - to live in the modern world you have to have a TV and or PC and be online or you miss out! We are expected to be computer literate, complete forms online and homework etc
But you have to have a computer and a TV licence in order to do so
Regards
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By anita | March 13, 2010
I want to Apply for this free laptop and how do i apply for it and i am 13 yrs old can you leave me a message on my email please
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By Sanah Khan | May 2, 2010
i totally agree with anitas comments (march 2010)
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By vernashread | May 26, 2010