Home access scheme reopened

Funds for a further 22,000 packages are available

Children from families on a low income given the chance to get online

The Home Access Programme, a scheme launched by the Labour government in January this year, has been reopened to distribute a further 22,000 computer packages, according to a spokesperson.

This is the result of parents, to whom funds had been allocated, not returning their forms.

The £300,000 scheme aimed to get children from families on a low income online in the face of research that children’s education is much improved by access to the internet.

The new government will not renew the scheme.

The public-private partnership saw collaboration between a number of technology outlets and IT education quango Becta. Parents of eligible children were given funds on a Barclaycard distributed by Becta and accepted by tech retailers. Anything that was not spent was put back into a central pot.

Former prime minister Gordon Brown told Labour Party delegates before the launch of the scheme: “The government will enable one million more households to get online, meaning parents can connect with their children’s teachers. It will also help young people with their homework and coursework.”

The scheme has seen 250,000 applications granted so far. However, it has additional funding for a further 10,000 core packages and 12,000 assisted technology packages.

The core package comprises basic provision of a laptop and internet access.

The assisted technology packages are aimed at severely disabled children and those with special educational needs and are being put together by assistive technology expert Iansyst.

Scheme organisers are urging families with a child in school years three to nine, and with an income of less than £16,190, to call 0333 200 1004 to check their eligibility.