Wired British Prime Minister Tony Blair is expected to rub shoulders with down-and-outs today as part of an initiative to provide the homeless with computers skills and Net access.

In a lunchtime address the PM is expected to announce that a network of Information Communication Technology (ICT) Centres around the UK will help retrain disadvantaged people so that they can help themselves get a job.

The scheme is part of a £252 million promise the Government made last year and is part of its commitment to close the "digital divide". It's not known whether the centres will include accommodation as well.

Whether this is just another one of Mr Blair's e-gimmicks remains to be seen. Famously, back in March he sang the praises of AltaVista and its flat-fee net access product. ®