Government to close Home Access Free broadband scheme

Government has announced today that the on-going free computer and free broadband programme (Home Access) launched by the the previous Labour government will soon be closed when the funding runs out.

Launched in January 2010, Home Access Scheme has offered free laptop and one year free broadband that worth more than £500 to more than 200,000 low-income families with children of age between 3 and 9 years.

As the £300m scheme is now nearing the end, 12,000 more applications will be accepted only from those families which have children with disabilities or Special Educational Needs, it has been revealed.

The scheme has been quite popular since its first announcement in 2008 and aimed at bringing broadband to more than 270,000 poorest families in the country before March 2011. However, the programme was put on faster phase only in Jaunuary 2010 when Becta, the organisation which is responsible for implementing the scheme started receiving applications. Becta has reported of receiving around 132,000 applications within a month.

Families with annual income of less than £16,190 and with children in years three to nine can call 0333 200 1004 or visit http://www.homeaccess.org.uk to find more details.

The coalition government which has been taking hard measures to contain the financial deficit, has abandoned the previous government’s broadband tax plans to fund the superfast broadband projects in rural Britain.

In May, the UK Culture Secretary, while announcing the new media policy, hinted that government would stop funding the local news services in Wales, Scotland and the north of England and this money would go to high-speed broadband projects.