Norwich MP urges broadband giants to help close 'digital divide'
A number of MPs have signed a letter calling for free broadband for children.
Last updated 7th Jan 2021
Norwich South's Clive Lewis is among a number of MPs who've signed a letter calling for help from Broadband companies to ensure every child in the country has access to internet during lockdown.
The letter's been sent to companies including: EE, Talk Talk, BT, Virgin, Vodafone, Plusnet and Sky, asking bosses to help provide internet access for children who can't afford it.
It describes internet access as a "geniune lifeline" for many people and thanked companies for keeping people connected when we've had to spend a lot of the last year apart.
It says that "the internet has become as vital to everyday school life and at home learning for children as a book or pen".
The MP's added that with school and college budgets already overstretched, many have had to turn to charities to fill the "digital divide" with laptops and other devices.
The letter concludes by saying that they don't want to see children "pay the price for a global pandemic" and asks bosses to consider helping children to cannot afford it get access to the internet so they can "learn, achieve and stay connected".
The Education Secretary has since said that children who don't have access to digital devices, like laptops, will be able to access education at school during lockdown.
During the debate in parliament about lockdown Gavin Williamson was asked about children who can't home school as they don't have internet connection or computers.
He confirmed that in the last lockdown those children had access to education in schools and that would be the same for this lockdown.
He also confirmed that children without the space at home to have schooling remotely will also be able to go into schools.