A county councillor has attacked as 'outrageous' Devon County Council's alleged reluctance to participate in a scheme which provides the poorest children with free home computers.

Home Access is part of the government drive to help low-income families, with children between the ages of three and nine, who do not own a computer. Under the terms of the scheme, families on certain benefits may qualify for a free computer and one year's internet access and support.

Details of the scheme were publicised in the April issue of Devon Funding News but when Cllr Gordon Hook asked an officer in Children and Young People's Services whether Devon schools would be alerted to the opportunity, he claims he was told that would not be happening as it would be 'too expensive'.

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