PM Urged to Address Digital Divide During Lockdown

MPs demand for laptops and tablets to be given to hundreds of thousands of children following school closures.

14:59 07 January 2021

School closures due to the Covid-19 pandemic will lead to "more inequality" and damage to children's education unless the government ensures that every child in the United Kingdom is provided with laptops and tablets, an MP has warned. 

 

Shadow City Minister Pat McFadden said that the pandemic has further highlighted the growing digital divide across the United Kingdom with Ofcom estimating that around one in 10 students has no access to a laptop or tablet. 

 

The comment follows Boris Johnson's announcement that schools would close, which means that pupils will be reliant on remote learning to continue their education. 

 

Wolverhampton South East MP Mr McFadden, said: "It is really important the Government gets the right support to families, because online learning is not something that is spread equally.

 

"It is really tough for some families, so the Government has got to make sure that schools and households have got the IT equipment and support necessary to help children learn online.

 

"Otherwise, alongside the public health crisis, we are going to have a huge educational crisis in times to come."