Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children who normally attend school in (1) Lancashire, and (2) Pendle, have (a) no access to a computer or laptop, and (b) been provided with a laptop.

The department is providing laptops and tablets to vulnerable and disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examinations in year 10. Vulnerable children are those receiving support from a social worker, including pre-school children, or are a care leaver.

Local authorities and academy trusts are best placed to identify the children and young people who are in need of devices and distribute the laptops and tablets. The devices have been allocated to local authorities and academy trusts based on the department’s estimates of the number of disadvantaged and vulnerable children that do not have access to a device. Where local authorities and academy trusts have identified a need greater than their initial allocation, the department has been working with them to provide additional devices.

In May, the department invited local authorities to order devices for the most vulnerable children first. Earlier this month, the department started inviting academy trusts and local authorities to order their devices for disadvantaged year 10 pupils. Thousands of devices continue to be delivered each day. Laptops and tablets will continue to be ordered and delivered throughout June.