MP calls for donations of spare laptops and tablets for children learning at home during coronavirus outbreak

An MP has launched a fundraising drive for laptops for children who are not getting enough access to education.

Streatham MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy has announced a new initiative to get technology to local schools and their pupils.

She said: “The mass closure of schools in Streatham means children will have to keep up their education from home for months to come.

“They’re very reliant on computer technology to do this, which is proving to be a problem in the local area.

“I’ve been contacted by one school in particular that’s raised this problem, pointing out that many of their pupils don’t have the necessary hardware to access their remote learning systems.

“According to campaign group Stop School Cuts, schools in Streatham saw average funding reductions of £688 per pupil between 2010 and 2019. After 10 years of constant cuts, it’s not surprising many schools don’t have the means to meet their children’s educational needs.

“As coronavirus constrains household finances, this is compounded by the rising household poverty in our area, too.

“Data from End Child Poverty shows after taking housing costs into account, 39 per cent of children in Streatham live in poverty, meaning households can’t afford to buy the technology themselves at the best of times.

“Children without access to remote learning technology are another group who are really falling through the gaps in our social safety net.

“I’m calling on Streatham businesses and residents with any spare laptops, iPads, and tablets, to donate these to someone who really needs it.

“As we’ve seen again and again, it’s those with the least who are feeling the effects of this crisis the most and your donations could make a small difference by helping a local child keep up with their work.”

To find out more email bell.ribeiroaddy.mp@parliament.uk