Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2000/10/12/poorest_brits_to_be_given/

Poorest Brits to be given PCs

And reduced phone rates for Net access

By Lucy Sherriff

Posted in Legal, 12th October 2000 12:11 GMT

The Government is to paper over the digital divide in Britain by dishing out 35,000 PCs - at a cost of £10 million - to the poorest areas of the country.

Liverpool's Kensington Estate is the first place to benefit. The 14,000 residents will soon have access to 2000 computers installed on the estate, which was chosen because of its "strong community spirit". (How long before they get nicked? - Ed) It has unemployment levels at three times the national average and truancy rates run five times above average measures.

The residents will pay reduced phone rates when accessing the Net, and there will be a special community web site with online training and job seeking advice.

According to a recent survey, only one in 20 of the UK's poorest families have an Internet connection.
®

Blair wires up poor, huddled masses
Disabled people represent the true digital divide
Truants rewarded with £1K laptops
To hell with the Government and its recycled PCs for the poor
<