About Becta

Home Access is a government programme managed by Becta. It aims to ensure that more children in state-maintained education in England have access to technology at home to support learning.

Becta will work closely with the suppliers to ensure the effective supply of Home Access packages to eligible learners when the programme is launched in December 2009.  

All suppliers have gone through a stringent accreditation process in-line with EU-compliant procurement methodology. The following suppliers were awarded "provisional approved supplier status" for the Home Access national programme:

• Bli Education
• Centerprise
• Comet
• Misco
• Positive IT Solutions
• XMA

Stephen Crowne, Becta Chief Executive said:

"Gaining access to a computer and the internet at home will be a huge step forward for many children and families across England. By working with suppliers to provide quality services, we are confident that we can deliver a programme that meets the needs of learners today."

Evidence shows effective use of technology boosts a child's achievement and the Home Access programme strives to make England one of the first countries in the world to ensure every young person has access to a computer and internet at home.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the Home Access programme in September 2008, and the Home Access programme was recognised in the Digital Britain report as a positive step in bringing computers and connectivity to the 35 per cent of families that currently have no access to the internet at home. Having access at home can also benefit other family members and it is hoped that increased access to the internet will enable local authorities, schools and other learning providers to strengthen their links with the community.

Notes to editors

The six suppliers have been given provisional approved supplier status to support the Home Access programme. Becta will now be undertaking a process of due diligence with these suppliers during which they will need to pass a range of operational acceptance checks. Once the criteria have been met they will then be given full Approved Supplier status and licensed to sell Home Access packages, which can be purchased by the general public using Home Access grant payment cards.

Each supplier was assessed on their capability to deliver the Home Access package. They were required to demonstrate a commercial understanding of the Home Access programme and the ability to meet the needs of the customer group. The selection process also included practical assessments of technical capability and an on-site assessment of business and quality processes.