Brown broadband boost

New proposals will be announced by Gordon Brown today, which will see poorer families receive vouchers to help them get a broadband connection, potentially allowing them to save more by using VoIP phones.

The prime minister will unveil the measures at the Labour party conference, which will see vouchers worth up to £700 handed out which can then be used for broadband costs, technical support and even computers.

It is thought the scheme will cost £300 million over the next three years, with the expressed aim of keeping children on-track with IT in schools, as well as letting teachers and parents contact one another online.

"To ensure we are prepared for the times to come, the government will fund one million more households to get online, enabling parents to link with the teachers at their children's school and helping young people with their homework and coursework," Mr Brown will say.

The vouchers will be means-tested, ranging from £100 to £700 depending on the family's income.