Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the guidance published by his Department on 19 April 2020 entitled remote education, what estimate he has made of the number of children from low-income households that do not have access to (a) IT equipment and (b) a reliable internet connection that will not qualify for support.

To make remote education accessible to pupils while schools are closed, the Department is providing laptops and tablets to disadvantaged children who would otherwise not have access and are preparing for examination in Year 10, receiving support from a social worker, including pre-school children, or are a care leaver.

Where care leavers, children with a social worker at secondary school and children in Year 10 do not have internet connections, we will also be providing 4G internet hotspots so that they can learn at home.

To support householders who face challenges accessing an internet connection, the Government has brokered an agreement with all the major telecoms companies aimed at protecting the most vulnerable, as well as those who may become vulnerable due to COVID-19.

The Government is also working with telecoms companies to exempt educational resources from data charges, supporting families who rely on mobile data.

We will ensure that the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children have the support they need at this time.