Free Laptops for Wakefield Schoolchildren

Wakefield MP Mary Creagh has welcomed the government's plan for every family in Britain to have access to broadband linked to their children's school.  

By March 2011 270 000 low income families across the country will get free laptops and broadband through the government's home access programme. The scheme will help make England one of the first countries in the world to ensure every single young person can use a computer and the internet at home for their education. Mary wants everyone who is eligible in Wakefield to benefit from the scheme and has written an open letter to parents to give them details of how to apply. Read the letter here =>

Mary said: "We are always looking for ways to raise our children's aspirations. This £300m government investment means that children from low income families will receive a free computer and free broadband access to help them do well at school. It will also see every family in the country linked to their children's schools to access progress reports on attainment, behaviour and other needs. As well as helping pupils with homework, it will prove invaluable to single parents with finding work and keeping in touch with friends."

For more information visit www.becta.org.uk/homeaccess