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Internet Access (Children Eligible for Free School Meals)

01 November 2022

Lead MP

Siobhain McDonagh

Debate Type

General Debate

Tags

Education
Other Contributors: 1

At a Glance

Siobhain McDonagh raised concerns about internet access (children eligible for free school meals) in the House of Commons. Other MPs contributed to the debate.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

Opened the debate
The technological advance in our society has made the internet essential for work, entertainment, shopping, bills, and social connections. However, a digital divide exists where children eligible for free school meals lack access to broadband and devices. During the pandemic, this gap widened significantly with 9% of children without access to devices before lockdowns and up to 1.78 million during lockdowns. This disparity led to educational inequalities as remote learning was not accessible for many disadvantaged students, widening the attainment gap further. The Bill aims to place a duty on the Secretary of State to ensure these children have adequate broadband connections and facilities at home.
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