Free computer scheme re-launched by Government

The Government is set to re-launch an initiative today, giving free computers and broadband access to low income families.

The Prime Minister initially announced the scheme back in September 2008 saying it would apply to those on less than 16,040 per year, although this fgure could be revised.

However it will see 300 million invested into giving households funding for a laptop and a 12 month broadband subscription as before.

Gordon Brown decided today to reiterate this pledge during a speech with Schools Secretary Ed Balls, providing the Home Access scheme for 270,000 low income families.

It is described on the Number 10 website as "part of a Government drive to close the digital and educational divide between rich and poor and help keep parents in touch with their child's progress."

A full roll out of the scheme is set for 2011 following successful trials back in February 2009.

Jennifer Scott is a former freelance journalist and currently political reporter for Sky News. She has a varied writing history, having started her career at Dennis Publishing, working in various roles across its business technology titles, including ITPro. Jennifer has specialised in a number of areas over the years and has produced a wealth of content for ITPro, focusing largely on data storage, networking, cloud computing, and telecommunications.

Most recently Jennifer has turned her skills to the political sphere and broadcast journalism, where she has worked for the BBC as a political reporter, before moving to Sky News.