Petition · past parliament · Department for Education
Provide disadvantaged children with a connected laptop to access home learning
Closed
165 signatures
What the petition asks
The Government should ensure that children have unrestricted personal use of an up to date, internet-connected computer with a full keyboard, at least from KS4 (the school year they turn 15). Government should urgently fund this for disadvantaged students such as those entitled to free school meals.
As schools move learning online in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, digital inclusion is more important than ever. Already vulnerable young people should not be further disadvantaged by school closures. In UK state secondary schools, there were 468,780 pupils known to be eligible for and claiming free school meals in January 2019. These children and young people may not have access to adequate equipment and connectivity, and should not be excluded from their education.
Timeline
| 31 Dec 2020 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 30 Jun 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
165
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Education
Opened
31 Dec 2020
Closed
30 Jun 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.