Broadband access for every child planned

The government is hoping to bring fast broadband connections into the home of every child in the UK in an effort to improve their education, it has been announced.

Parents may be required to provide broadband so that children from poorer families do not miss out on the learning opportunities offered by the web connections.

However, it was recognised that this requires cheaper prices if all families are to be able to afford it.

Schools minister Jim Knight told the Guardian that having a broadband connection can be a "hugely powerful" educational tool for children and said that "you need to make that universal otherwise you just advantage those who can afford it".

In order to reduce the cost of broadband connections, the government is planning talks with major IT firms such as Microsoft, BT, Sky and Virgin to create affordable schemes.

With one million youngsters across the UK without broadband access at home, there could be a surge in the use of VoIP services as more families get the chance to keep in touch over the web.