Kitz Forum
Announcements => News Articles => Topic started by: UncleUB on January 11, 2010, 06:30:05 AM
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More than 270,000 free laptops with broadband will be given away to low income familes under a new Government scheme.
Gordon Brown says he wants all families to be linked up to their children's schools via the internet.
That way they can access progress reports on attainment, behaviour and other needs, he said.
http://tinyurl.com/yk9pjcg
What planet is he on.......... >:(
How many of these will actually be used for school work. :no:
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To make that achievable, he will pledge £300m of investment
../snip/..
home access programme to get laptops and broadband at home for 270,000 families.
Now if Ive done my maths right - thats £1,111.00 per laptop!
Crikey what the heck is he giving away... or is a lot of it going to be swallowed in admin costs.
TBH I think its ridiculous and its almost as if broadband has become more of an invaluable commodity than other services such as heating or health facilities.
I mean its not like these families wont have access at schools or libraries is it?
Wonder how many of these families will have sky or the kids have Wii's. :-\
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Could be usefull when schools are closed due to bad weather as the kids can still be doing school work and teachers working from home :)
I can see a lot of laptops ending up on flea bay.
Now if Ive done my maths right - thats £1,111.00 per laptop!
They should be able to buy them for £250 easy.
Anyway laptops do not have a long life span and desktops would be a better idea and not so mobile (nickable).
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>> They should be able to buy them for £250 easy.
Im sure somewhere like Dell or Medion would happily put together some sort of budget type laptop.. after all if they are going to be used for school work they wont need things like the latest and greatest of graphics cards etc will they? :-X
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I'm sure they will be put to good use....
Dad =Porn,and gambling
Mum = Bingo
Kids =FaceBook,YouTube and online gaming
and when you get fed up,weigh it in for beer money. >:(
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That'll be another tax on us using telephones then ???
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I've heard say that you only appreciate what you have actually worked for.
I've had extensive experience of working with folk as described in the article and I can safely say that most will be ruined or sold for drugs, booze, ciggies or all three within one week of ownership.
No wonder the average taxpayer is becoming increasingly angry (including me). >:(
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Just like the "Internet for all" scheme, this is just another one of those "STUPID" government exercises to "Supposedly" make jobs and keep people in work.
All I can really say is what a load of old tosh!!
Sorry got visitors so have to go.
Saved by the bell you might say.
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I don't know who increases my blood pressure more, this idiot man or his predecessor >:( Another pathetic election ploy >:(
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I'm sure I read that included in the deal is 1 years free internet. Presumably the cost is a bit higher due to support/warranty? Even so £1,100 does rather excessive!
Hopefully some of these machines do get to less privileged children.
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Even if you made an allowance for the Internet, thats still well over £1000 for the laptop.
Bearing in mind you can get half decent broadband access from £5.99 with Plusnet (http://www.kitz.co.uk/files/jump2/jump2.php?isp=plusnet) depending on where you live.
I dont think Im being unrealistic assuming most of these families will likely live in large towns/cities and therefore be on market1 or have LLU available... or even be able to get it free with their sky TV.
Ok some of the cheaper offerings may not be that good and you may not be able to download p2p type stuff very quick.. but its not about providing access for that kind of downloading is it. Its meant to be just for mail and surfing the internet for research isnt it?
Makes you wonder if those in power have any idea of what a PC and internet is all about.
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Makes you wonder if those in power have any idea of what a PC and internet is all about.
Who actually came up with this scheme before it was passed to the PM?
Who ever it was hasn't got a clue about what goes off/is going off in Britain today......... >:( >:( >:(
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Any idea who the ISP and hardware providers are likely to be?
Someone is going to be making some serious money out of this....
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I`ve read this a few times & I`m missing something or theres something missing from the article....
To be honest I think theres something missing between the Ears of the PM &/OR His advisors...
I think I`ll have to come back to this...........Cause I can`t think of a sensible thing to actually say....
If it wasn`t for the fact this comes from the PM & HM Government I`d say Lord Sutch was advising the Government, but He sadly passed in 1999, maybe Gordon would be better Re-Naming the Labour Party to "The Lunatics Party"........Given Kitz`s figures the mind boogles at what sort of Laptop they`ll be dishing out? I`d guess they like the look of Alienware or Acer`s Ferrari Lappy`s!!!!
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Any idea who the ISP and hardware providers are likely to be?
Someone is going to be making some serious money out of this....
Just a guess, an ISP/Hardware supplier that offers "Best Value" (a core requirement for ALL Local Authories" AKA "Councils" <they object to being called Councils>), so you can presume that means "Cheapest!!!", now I know & I`d hazard a guess that most on here also know that Cheapest isn`t always VFM...........But we aren`t talking common sense or even sense....
So a guess....NO WAY BeThere/O2...I`d hazard a guess at Virgin Media or TalkTalk or maybe BT, or maybe thats where all the money is required for the commitees/divisions required within the Councils to assess, monitor, proactively push this concept & of course the Administration for it...Laptop £150, ADSL £100/yr & ongoing Admin £900........Makes sense..... :-X :-X :-X
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Just like the "Internet for all" scheme, this is just another one of those "STUPID" government exercises to "Supposedly" make jobs and keep people in work.
All I can really say is what a load of old tosh!!
Sorry got visitors so have to go.
Saved by the bell you might say.
What I was going to add before being interrupted earlier was simply that whilst obviously the numbers don't seem to make sense, but when did the BBC media ever get it's sums correct, especially if they can over-dramatise.
What the government seem to forget is that most of these "so-called poor people" already have all of these facilities.
And the genuinely poor off will not get a look-in.
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http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/
While the scheme is targeted at those who either don’t have a computer or don’t have web access, there are only limited checks done on that, though it is important people don’t abuse the system.
Are they kidding,this is the UK we are talking about. >:(
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Have you seen the criteria for eligibility?
http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/Information-for-parents/
3 to 9 ???????????
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Have you seen the criteria for eligibility?
http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/Information-for-parents/
3 to 9 ???????????
So even if you have a computer(of your own) and you meet the criteria set out,then you can still apply for and get a free laptop.Then cancel your existing broadband and get it free.
This scheme is open to fraud on a massive scale...... :no:
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I think it was the 3-9 age group that I found strange.
What about older children. Surely those are the age group if any that would benefit most - not a 3 year old.
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You're dead right. This is just another daft scheme aimed at attracting votes.
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You're dead right. This is just another daft scheme aimed at attracting votes.
Trouble is most of those who apply to get on this scheme will be in the pub not the polling booth,and imo will anger more voters than not and therefore less likely to vote for them
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I think it was the 3-9 age group that I found strange.
What about older children. Surely those are the age group if any that would benefit most - not a 3 year old.
I read it as for school years 3 to 9, which corresponds to an age of 7-8 to 13-14.
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I think it was the 3-9 age group that I found strange.
What about older children. Surely those are the age group if any that would benefit most - not a 3 year old.
I read it as for school years 3 to 9, which corresponds to an age of 7-8 to 13-14.
Section One:
Are you a parent or guardian responsible for and living with a child…..
…who is in school years 3 to 9?
…who attends a state-maintained school in England full time**?
…who has not already had a computer from a Home Access Grant or similar programme, such as Computers for Pupils?
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>>> I read it as for school years 3 to 9, which corresponds to an age of 7-8 to 13-14.
Ahh good spot orainsear.... thank you I thought it was very strange.
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I did notice that even Asylum seekers can apply????
Obviously another well thought out idea by HM Government..... ::)
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I've found out a bit more about this. Apparently the maximum grant is £528 and if you qualify a prepaid card is sent out which can be used at specific shops, e.g. http://www.misco.co.uk/content/homeaccess/homeaccesspackages.htm (http://www.misco.co.uk/content/homeaccess/homeaccesspackages.htm)
The 1 years broadband is provided via a wireless dongle using the 3 mobile network. I'm not sure what happens if you are in an area without reception though :/
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I did notice that even Asylum seekers can apply????
Obviously another well thought out idea by HM Government..... ::)
Of course,can't have their human rights breached,heaven forbid. :-X
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The 1 years broadband is provided via a wireless dongle using the 3 mobile network.
I think you will find that the broadband connection is either down to a supplier of your choice or as with the supplier "Misco" they are promoting T-Mobile.
What are the connectivity terms & conditions?
If your bundle includes connectivity this is provided through T-Mobile for a period of 12 months
It also looks like Misco have already looked into the scenario of "Oops sorry it got stolen"
http://www.misco.co.uk/content/homeaccess/pilotfaqs.htm
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Cynical me wonders why the "stolen" scenario is the first thing Misco mention. :-X
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Gosh we qualify ;D :blush:
With just my wife working we come in there category so I'm going to apply ! why not, I have been away from a job for a long time and never applied for dole so it's time to get something back after-all I have payed tax's for a very long time.
Has anyone applied ? You can PM me if you want .
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What the government seem to forget is that most of these "so-called poor people" already have all of these facilities.
And the genuinely poor off will not get a look-in.
No offence meant and good luck to you. :thumbs:
Now where do I apply?
edit:
If you are a parent and think you are eligible for a Home Access grant, click here to see how to get an application form.
http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/Information-for-parents/
Quick eligibility check
Take the quick eligibility check below. You may be able to qualify for a Home Access grant if you answer YES to:
• Three questions in Section one, and
• At least one question in Section two
Section One:
Are you a parent or guardian responsible for and living with a child…..
…who is in school years 3 to 9?
…who attends a state-maintained school in England full time**?
…who has not already had a computer from a Home Access Grant or similar programme, such as Computers for pupils?
Section Two:
Do you receive at least one of the following?
• Free school meals for your child***
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income support
• Child Tax Credit but not Working Tax Credit and an income of less than £16,040
• Guaranteed Pension Credit (not Savings Credit)
• Income-based Employment Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
********
Oh well that leaves me out.
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I have been away from a job for a long time and never applied for dole so it's time to get something back after-all I have paid tax's for a very long time
You go for it Mike. :)
Because most of the people under this catergory will not have paid a brass cent in any form of taxation and no doubt they will be the first in the queue. >:(
Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
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A £300m government scheme to give free laptops to poor children is open to abuse, a Conservative MP has warned.
Mark Pritchard said constituents had raised concerns about computers given out under the Home Access Programme apparently being sold for cash.
Mr Pritchard, MP for The Wrekin in Shropshire, said: "There is very little policing of the scheme and there is nothing to stop a minority of recipients from selling their laptops in exchange for cash.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/8516940.stm
That does suprise me.... >:(
Another well thought out government scheme........
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Don't forget it's part of the oppositions role to criticise the government, and they find a way to do it even if there's nothing to criticise - though every story has a down side if you look hard enough.
And in the run-up to an election there's never anything constructive from any party. :(
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Don't forget it's part of the oppositions role to criticise the government, and they find a way to do it even if there's nothing to criticise - though every story has a down side if you look hard enough.
And in the run-up to an election there's never anything constructive from any party. :(
Well there's no smoke without fire.Perhaps if this hair brain scheme hadn't been implemented then there would be one less thing to criticise.
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Hi
Yep and its just a coincidence that this initiative has just been announced .Nothing to do with the forthcoming election
wonder what else will be free and available before E day.?
Regards Jeff
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Perhaps they'll go for the grey vote, and give us wrinklies a big bonus. :no:
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More than 270,000 free laptops with broadband will be given away to low income familes under a new Government scheme.
Gordon Brown says he wants all families to be linked up to their children's schools via the internet.
That way they can access progress reports on attainment, behaviour and other needs, he said.
http://tinyurl.com/yk9pjcg
What planet is he on.......... >:(
How many of these will actually be used for school work. :no:
The cynic in me thinks that he is only doing this to bribe voters in the forthcoming general election :-X
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Ah,someone has seen sense.
http://www.ispreview.co.uk/story/2010/08/11/uk-government-scraps-free-broadband-isp-and-computers-scheme.html
The previous governments £300m UK Home Access scheme has now officially been canned. The Assistive Technology service sought to issue grants worth approximately £500 to state educated children from 270,000 low income families (earning less than £16,040 per year), which could then be used to select an "approved" computer that included a FREE 12 month broadband Internet access (ISP) subscription.
The programme proved to be so popular that after just one month in operation some 132,000 application forms had been received. To date it has helped more than 200,000 low-income families with children in Years 3 to 9 get access to a computer and the internet. But in many ways the closure of Home Access is nothing new.
Wonder how many of those ended up on Ebay............. ???