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.

Home Access, a government programme managed by the now defunct Becta, had originally been called 'Broadband for All' when it was first announced way back in 2008 (here). However the scheme itself did not get underway until January of this year and was due to complete in March 2011.

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.


The writing for this programme has also been on the wall since 24th May 2010, when the new coalition government announced a package of measures to reduce expenditure in the public sector. This included the planned closure of Becta itself and many of its existing projects.


The good news is that Home Access has not been stopped cold and will instead by wound-up slowly. The scheme is now focusing on applications from families with children whom have disabilities or Special Educational Needs. If you intend to apply, get your application in soon, as only around 12,000 grants remain to be awarded before funding completely dries up.

Those whom believe they fit the bill can either obtain more information from http://www.homeaccess.org.uk or can also request an application form via the Home Access Grant Helpline by calling 0333 200 1004.