I am supporting the announcement that hundreds of families with school age children across Birmingham could benefit from a new scheme offering a free laptop and broadband access.

The scheme, which has been launched by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Schools Secretary Ed Balls, will mean thousands of children and their parents will be able to get internet access at home to boost their school work.

Trials of the programme showed that children who were eligible spent an hour more each week learning online, compared to their classmates who already had the internet at home. And 81 per cent of parents believed that home access had increased their involvement in their child's learning.

I am urging local parents to check whether they qualify under the 'Home Access programme'. Families with a child in years 3 to 9 at school and eligible for free school meals can apply for the special laptop and broadband access by calling 0333 200 1004 or visiting www.homeaccess.org.uk  

I have already encouraged local schools to get involved with the new online learning programmes such as the parliament education programme which can be accessed at www.parliament.uk/education which can be used at school and at home.

Computers are no longer a luxury for the few, but these days are just as essential a part of education as books, pens and paper.

That's why I welcome this new scheme to make sure children without the internet at home aren't left behind.

Hundreds of families across the constituency could be eligible for this. It will give children the opportunity to do coursework and research on the internet - helping children succeed in school and get the skills they need to get good jobs in the future.

It will also help parents get more involved in their child's education, develop new skills and apply for jobs online.