HUNDREDS more laptops and tablets have been made available for disadvantaged children through Essex’s education authority in recent weeks.

Department for Education figures show 6,967 laptops and tablets had been sent by the Government to Essex County Council or its maintained schools by April 8.

That was 252 more than were reported by March 14, a four per cent increase.

Across England, 99.7 per cent of the 1.3 million laptops and tablets promised by the Government as part of the Get Help with Technology scheme have been distributed to disadvantaged young people during the pandemic.

The figures do not include devices allocated to academy trusts, as they are not maintained by local authorities.

Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “The Government has been promising for months that it would deliver 1.3 million laptops to schools and we are now tantalisingly close to seeing that target achieved.

“We do not underestimate the scale of the Government’s logistical operation but the truth is they were slow to react in the first place, slow to get started and progress since has been painfully slow."

Barnardo's said that, while action had been taken to provide technology to some of the poorest pupils, there were families still struggling without access to online services.

Chief executive Javed Khan said: "Barnardo's partnered with Vodafone on the Great British Tech Appeal, to deliver laptops and data bundles to families forced to decide between feeding their children, heating their homes and paying for essential data.

“Now we would urge the Government to establish a clear strategy, working with local agencies, charities, and corporate partners, to eliminate digital poverty in the very near future. This is central to ‘levelling up’ opportunities for all.”

The DfE said the devices provided were vital in ensuring children and young people continued to access education and social care during the pandemic, and they will give schools flexibility to decide how they will be most usefully employed in the future.

As well as laptops and tablets, more than 530 4G wireless routers have been given to Essex County Council to help families with limited internet access.