Free laptops and broadband for 270,000

Gordon Brown and Schools Secretary Ed Balls have said they will give 270,000 low-income families a free computer and free broadband access.

The Home Access scheme is part of the government's drive to "close the digital and educational divide between rich and poor" and to help keep parents in touch with their child's progress.

At an education conference later today, the Prime Minister is due to say: "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, today I can announce the nationwide rollout of our home-access programme to get laptops and broadband at home for 270,000 families."

Mr Brown first unveiled the 300m 'broadband for all' scheme to provide broadband for disadvantaged families back in September 2008.

In 2009, two pilot schemes in Oldham and Suffolk offered disadvantaged families grants to buy PCs and web access

According to Becta, the body charged with promoting the best use of technology in schools, the pilots were a success, with over 12,000 grants awarded to eligible families.

Under the Home Access scheme, parents apply to a central body for a grant and, if eligible, use their grant to buy a compliant package consisting of a computer, internet access, service and support from an approved supplier.

Becta said the programme will benefit over 270,000 households by March 2011 and will initially target learners in years 3 to 9.