Rayner slams government for 'failed' laptop provision

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner has slammed the government for providing remote learning devices for 2,415 children across Oldham and Tameside - just 14% of what’s needed - since last March.

Ms Rayner tabled a written parliamentary question to the Department for Education after contacting all schools in her constituency to ask whether their remote learning needs were being met.

Labour’s Deputy Leader requested detailed figures on how many laptops and mobile devices have been distributed by the DfE to pupils in Tameside and Oldham to enable them to access remote learning since March 2020.

Ms Rayner also asked what estimate has been made of the number of primary and secondary school pupils who do not have a laptop or mobile device and cannot access remote learning in Tameside and Oldham.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb confirmed that assessments on those needing remote learning support were based on the number of pupils eligible for free school meals – of which there are almost 18,000 across Oldham and Tameside – and data from Ofcom.

Yet 10 months into this pandemic, only 1,086 devices have been delivered to Tameside Council, and 1,329 delivered to Oldham Council.

On Monday, Labour will hold a vote in Parliament demanding that the government provide remote learning resources to ensure all children can learn at home during lockdown.

Ms Rayner said: “The government must ensure that all children and young people can participate in remote learning during lockdown.

“One of the schools in my constituency told me that, during the first lockdown, the government gave them one 4G router with a six month data package – how on earth are they supposed to share that out amongst their 460 pupils?

“We are almost a year into this pandemic and children are still unable to learn at home and access remote learning. The government has failed an entire generation of young people.

“Last April, Education Secretary Gavin Williamson promised laptops for children to enable them to access online learning.

"He failed to deliver and then in October, he cut the allocation of laptops for deprived children.

“No child should be stopped from learning simply because their family is struggling.”

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