Free online links for thousands

GORDON Brown is to promise free laptops and broadband access for 270,000 low-income families today so that they can better follow their children's school progress.

The Prime Minister wants every household to have broadband access to the internet, in what aides described as a sign of his commitment to "aspiration".

The aim is to get all families linked up to their children's schools via the internet and access progress reports on attainment, behaviour and other needs.

To make that achievable, Mr Brown was expected to pledge 300 million of investment to help poorer families who might not otherwise be able to afford it.

The move is designed to back up the government's "guarantee" that all parents will be able to access school reports online.