Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds have equal access to digital learning resources and technology.

Education is a devolved matter, and the response outlines the information for England only.

The department recently launched a public consultation on narrowing the digital divide between schools and colleges, so we can bring together the sector’s expertise to embed effective technology use, harness the opportunities that technology can offer, and ensure all students have access to it.

Through the proposals and investment set out in this consultation, the department wants to set milestones to break down the barriers to opportunity to ensure every child and young person has access to the best possible education. To support this ambition, we are investing another £25 million to upgrade wireless networks in schools this year, on top of £20 million to complete delivery of fibre internet upgrades to 833 schools.

Furthermore, the Child Poverty Taskforce is progressing urgent work to publish the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy will tackle overall child poverty, as well as going beyond that to focus on children in the deepest poverty lacking essentials and what is needed to give every child the best start in life.

The department is also working with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) on their ambitious national plans for digital inclusion. DSIT published their Digital Inclusion Action Plan: First Steps in February 2025. This is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/digital-inclusion-action-plan-first-steps/digital-inclusion-action-plan-first-steps#chapter-6---next-steps.