Politicians love announcing new initiatives. In this new series we pluck a pledge from the archives. And check what happened next...
Politicians love announcing new initiatives. In this new weekly series we pluck a pledge from the archives. And see what happened next...
Did laptops get as easy to borrow as a library book?Picture the late 1990s, when internet start-up firms were on their way to becoming bigger than established titans of industry and commerce.
Did laptops get as easy to borrow as a library book?Picture the late 1990s, when internet start-up firms were on their way to becoming bigger than established titans of industry and commerce.
It was a heady time when the power of the "information highway" to liberate the information-starved masses seemed infinite.
It was a heady time when the power of the "information highway" to liberate the information-starved masses seemed infinite.
Recall the then chancellor Gordon Brown's call for the UK to lead the global "knowledge economy", leaving no man, woman or child behind in the sharing of glorious, electronic wizardry-created wealth.
Recall the then chancellor Gordon Brown's call for the UK to lead the global "knowledge economy", leaving no man, woman or child behind in the sharing of glorious, electronic wizardry-created wealth.
In this spirit Mr Brown announced a policy now forgotten by most.
In this spirit Mr Brown announced a policy now forgotten by most.
In October 1999 he pledged: "We will pioneer a system so people can use computers and software in the new century the way local libraries have loaned books in the last century."
In October 1999 he pledged: "We will pioneer a system so people can use computers and software in the new century the way local libraries have loaned books in the last century."
Old stock
Old stock
The plan was to allow low-income families to lease subsidised laptops - then usually costing at least £1,000 to buy - for about £5 a week from their employers.
The plan was to allow low-income families to lease subsidised laptops - then usually costing at least £1,000 to buy - for about £5 a week from their employers.
Firms were given tax breaks if they provided old computer stock, which had been upgraded, to employees for home use.
Firms were given tax breaks if they provided old computer stock, which had been upgraded, to employees for home use.
But what happened after the announcement?
But what happened after the announcement?
We cannot let this reinforce social and academic divides and put children in low income families at a further disadvantage Jim Knight, schools minister
We cannot let this reinforce social and academic divides and put children in low income families at a further disadvantage Jim Knight, schools minister
The government scheme, called the Home Computing Initiative, eventually gained the support of about 60 companies.
The government scheme, called the Home Computing Initiative, eventually gained the support of about 60 companies.
However, after seven years the government wound up the tax break behind the scheme, arguing that the lending out of laptops had become less necessary.
However, after seven years the government wound up the tax break behind the scheme, arguing that the lending out of laptops had become less necessary.
A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman told the BBC: "It was a Treasury programme aimed at getting Britain online by giving tax-breaks to employers to loan computers to their employees and which was wound up in 2006 - essentially, because lower costs of laptops had helped drive up home ownership."
A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman told the BBC: "It was a Treasury programme aimed at getting Britain online by giving tax-breaks to employers to loan computers to their employees and which was wound up in 2006 - essentially, because lower costs of laptops had helped drive up home ownership."
It may have had 60 companies signed up to it, but it is hard to say that it achieved the goal of allowing people to use laptops and software in the same way they might borrow books from a library.
It may have had 60 companies signed up to it, but it is hard to say that it achieved the goal of allowing people to use laptops and software in the same way they might borrow books from a library.
Latest scheme
Latest scheme
The scheme may have died but the sentiment behind it appeared to live on when, at the recent Labour Party conference, Mr Brown, now the prime minister, announced £300m for a Home Access programme to help low-income, computer-less households.
The scheme may have died but the sentiment behind it appeared to live on when, at the recent Labour Party conference, Mr Brown, now the prime minister, announced £300m for a Home Access programme to help low-income, computer-less households.
The scheme, due to get under way later this month, promises broadband access to all learners aged five to 19 whose families qualify for the help.
The scheme, due to get under way later this month, promises broadband access to all learners aged five to 19 whose families qualify for the help.
This involves a "free laptop or other computer with relevant software and hardware" bought with a Home Access voucher, as well as technical support.
This involves a "free laptop or other computer with relevant software and hardware" bought with a Home Access voucher, as well as technical support.
Announcing a year-long pilot programme in Oldham and Suffolk last week, schools minister Jim Knight said: "Many families are having to tighten their belts in the current economic climate - so it is right that we help those that need the most support.
Announcing a year-long pilot programme in Oldham and Suffolk last week, schools minister Jim Knight said: "Many families are having to tighten their belts in the current economic climate - so it is right that we help those that need the most support.
"We cannot let this reinforce social and academic divides and put children in low-income families at a further disadvantage."
"We cannot let this reinforce social and academic divides and put children in low-income families at a further disadvantage."
The scheme is due to be expanded to the rest of England by autumn 2009.
The scheme is due to be expanded to the rest of England by autumn 2009.
The stated aim, as with the 'laptops for all' scheme, is to "bridge the digital divide".
The stated aim, as with the 'laptops for all' scheme, is to "bridge the digital divide".
What other old pledges do you think need to be looked at? Add your comments using the form below.
What other old pledges do you think need to be looked at? Add your comments using the form below.
