Gordon Brows pledges £300m towards broadband access for low-income families

Gordon Brown, in a key conference speech, will today unveil a scheme to fund internet access for families who cannot afford it, in an attempt to take control of his ailing premiership.

The prime minister is due to announce a £300 million programme to deliver broadband to 1.4 million low-income families where pupils are in danger of slipping behind because they cannot access online resources vital to their schoolwork. Families will be able to claim vouchers worth up to £700 to pay for a computer, broadband access, software and technical support. The initiative is designed to make plain that only the Labour Party will “give everyone a chance”.

Mr Brown will tell delegates: “To ensure we are prepared for the times to come, the Government will fund one million more households to get online, enabling parents to link with teachers and their children’s schools to help young people with homework and coursework.”

Schools and local authorities will be asked to identify pupils whose families need financial help in getting online. They will then receive vouchers to the tune of between £100 and £700 depending on their circumstances. The initiative will be trialled in two as yet unidentified areas next year and rolled out throughout England in 2011

Ministers say that getting families online will give them access to discounts that could save them hundreds of pounds a year – more than enough to pay for a broadband subscription.

The Internet also forms an essential part in children’s education today, with many teachers posting learning material online and emailing school reports. What is more, studies have shown that computer literate youngsters find jobs which pay 20% higher than those with little IT savvy. 90% of new jobs are now advertised online.

Education minister Jim Knight said the scheme would help to “reduce inequality and improve life chances for millions of children.”

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