Can someone please tell me why I got to work, pay taxes, forgo a pay rise because we are in a recession, and save for months on end to buy luxuries such as computers!
270,000 families to receive free laptops and home broadband
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The Government has confirmed the next stage of a scheme which will see free computers and broadband access being offered to low income families across England.
The £300m Home Access initiative was first announced by Prime Minister, Gordon Brown back in September 2008 with pilot trials successfully completed in two areas in February 2009. Now though, it’s been confirmed 270,000 families in England will be given the opportunity to apply for a grant for a free laptop and broadband connection.
It’s a scheme close to Gordon Brown’s heart. He first hinted low income families could be provided with computers when he was merely a Chancellor back in 1999.
As part of the initiative successful families will be awarded with a laptop (which they will be able to keep for the duration). However, the funded broadband connection will only be for one year. After this period, it will be up to individual families to decide whether or not they want to fund the connection for themselves.
Children taken as being part of a low income family tend to be provided with free school meals as a benchmark for their economic status. However, the Government has confirmed not all children on free school meals will automatically receive help with their home broadband and a computer.
Low income families successful in claiming for a grant will be able to get hold of computers and broadband support from 2011. For all the details, visit the Home Access website or call 0333 200 1004.
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Comments
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I my self have no income and my wife is on low income. can we claim for a grant for the free laptop scheme for our children
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will this include disabled people as well, or will we get kicked in the teeth again like we do over perscriptions as we have to pay for them
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r they free 2 children in wales
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i was wondering if someone could tell me when we would be able to clam for a grant for the free laptop scheme for my children.
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Whilst it is clearly important for any pupil to have access to the Internet today, how is 'poor' defiend? Do you have to 'sign-on' first? And how is the request processed? On what ground? Next subject will be: "Who is the lucky manufacturer?" - And will Microsoft give away free operating systems? I doubt it. If any chance - families can get a voucher and have to order from a government controlled website....but how? No PC! I can see cost effective operating systems working within the scheme, like the new "whytwitter Netbook Pack". Works like Chrome OS and has full support included, makes a difference from any other Linux based platform. But the hardware problem will remain, so will be the definition of 'poor'.
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Does anyone know how you actually apply?
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if any1 finds out how to apply plz let us no r v entitled to the in north wales
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i was wondering if someone could tell me when we would be able to clam for a grant for the free laptop scheme for my children. so i need it plz
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when does this scheme start and how to apply for it.
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the answer to a few questions ive seen, call this number to get the claim pack sent out?
0333 200 1004
not sure if we can get the grant in wales, but call this number and im sure they will let you know.
hope ive been some help to you all, nathan hancock
neath south wales. -
That is a complete and utter joke.
I found this article on google while looking for a good deal on a laptop & broadband package, I work full time and so does my partner and I still cant just nip into PC World and pick up the latest model I have to shop around and save, and if it turns out I can't have a laptop right this minute then so be it I'll have to wait until I do have the spare funds.
Do what the rest of us have to do and save your money, the goverment should be using its spare money to bring every school in the country up to the same standard or creating new jobs rather than give people on benefits free bloomin laptops to get more blooming votes.
A laptop is a luxury not a necessity.
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is wales included in this free laptop stuff or has wales been left of the map again??
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when will the scheme be coming out and how will the familise be able to apply for it
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How and when can you apply for this?
You have'nt given any imformation on how or when you can do this? so how do you expect us to?
Do i phone somebody, email? please reply as i need to know. -
ruksaana if u ring 03332001004 and say i want a form for the free laptops for families on income support then ur adrresse national insurance numeber theyll send u oe
but theys only give it to 1 of ur child plus only if that child is between 6 - 14 or 15 years old hope i help rucksaana -
when will the scheme be coming out and how will the familise be able to apply for i. I my self have no income and my wife is on low income. can we claim for a grant for the free laptop scheme for our children
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Don't bother ringing up for an application if you work only part time but claim working tax,because apparently the gov has stated any parents on working tax credits aren't eligiable to apply,yet i'm still only earning less than 16,000 a year so how that works i don't know....looks like it's only for people on benefits...my gripe is if they are giving out free laptops and free internet access for a year to people claiming benefits,then how are these people going to afford the internet after a years time??????
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How low is a low income or is it just for the unemployed? Does this apply to people in NI?
How do you apply for one?
Shelly -
i was told that free internet for up to 1 year comes with the laptops as well is this true
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how do i apply for a laptop and broadband
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i think this is totally wrong!!!! why should people like myself and my husband go out to work but are on a low income pay our taxes for people that can't be bothered to get off their backside and get a job, they get everything handed to them on a plate the goverment are wrong!!!!!they need to get their priority's right and stop handing out tax payers money!!!!
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To get Home Access Grant you Ring 03332001004
You have to go through some simple questions to see if you qualify to get this help for your children
They then say they will post you an application for.
I think the scheme is up and running.
Hope this helps.... -
To all those leaving nasty comments, please keep them to your bitter selves as not all parents on income support are there through their own choice. I was left in the unfortunate position of having to raise my three girls alone when my wife suddenly passed away, and appreciate every bit of help I can get now as I had to leave a very well paid job, but still have to pay all the debt my wife and I had accumulated whilst living within our means....
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My partner is on a low income and we get working tax credit and child tax credit but our total income is still below 16,000 so how do we not qualify as we are below the income they suggest. But as per usual cause we get working tax credit we get dumped on by all the free schemes that are available and my child sometimes has to spend a lot of his time after school in the computer lounge or the library to use the computers there. What a load of crock this is.
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why the hell do i bother working and paying taxes oh yeah so people with "bad backs" can get a free ride and a £500 laptop i work 6 days a week to provide for my 4 kids does the government help me when i cant pay my basic bills no they don't they leave me to struggle
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I think the comment made by Andy (bad back) comment is wrong. My Husband is 46 and disabled with a "bad back" and some people cant stand it that we have nice things and new car and kids have free school meals and he doesnt work while i look after our 3 children and help him, but people never look into why (not that its there buisness) But he served our country for 13 years before having to leave the army because of a wrecked knee and back. He did go on to work until he was actually waking me up to help him out the bed of a morning and paid his taxes until 2002 and unfortunately has even more wrong with him now but again its all on the inside and people dont "See" it so can't stand it" We have a laptop already that we saved hard for so if we can get one that the kids can use for free then thats a bonus as they are not allowed on ours. Why is it such a problem to some people that they are giving "Children" a laptop to help with school life?
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if u ant got noat nice to comment about then leave your sly remarks to yourself. caring for kids is a full time job within its self and i would love for u to come in and do what i have to do every day. and i think that families with children shud get free stuff as we cannot affort it!
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i have a dissabled boy is in need of attention im on benifits,im on low income for my kids people like you who works you dont know what we have to do i class my self a full time worker i would love to go to work to earn more money i find all the workers out there you make me sick
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i am on benifits due to no choice of my own and dont agree that everyone who is should get free laptop. i save up money to buy one for my kids. there are lazy people on benifits that have no intension to get a job maybe you should get a free laptop for being back at work for more than one year. you should have to earn it first. that would be better idea
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I think that most people are just annoyed that this will be a bonus to most bum parents and not to their children. If you think the kids will benefit you are badly mistaken and how come most people who have commented on here need a laptop and internet access anyway, what are they using now? I work hard and come from a minority around my area and expect no praise as i am lucky to be working but can assure you the parents around me will be very happy at being given a free laptop to THEM. What with the free access to the internet and the vast range of ADULT EDUCATION on there im sure they will be put to good use........ or not ! How about we spend the money a little wiser like creating more jobs then they can all buy laptops.
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wot a load of crap this is im on benefits my son is at collage and i will not be able to get a free laptop and free internet because he is to old ur child has got to be between 6 and 9 wot a load labour suck.
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i just want to say i phoned up answered the questions an i work an i have a claim pack bein sent out to me so it is open to all who have children and if you get child tax credit as i do .
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i dont know how people dare assume straight away that all people on benefits are automatically people who dont want to go to work, i agree a certain percentage dont want to work, but in my case i had to finish work because i had a baby which caused me a mental illness called pupural phycosis only 1 in 1000 get it, i am already and an epileptic and i did work before having my baby, so i wasnt a so called lazy person then because i know epileptics dont work, and i did, my partner was a self employed builder and he had to finish work for the sake of our child, so people should get their facts right , i was put in a mental institute for 7 weeks locked in with bars on the windows while my child was weeks old. im not happy claiming benefits and depressed with being on medication so its not all fun and a free ride, i am furious with peoples comments hopefully when people give birth it should happen to more people not 1 in 1000 !!!!!!!!!
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What I find amazing, all the people who have made comments on this forum about trying to get a free laptop and ISP because they are on some form of benfits. When clearly for people to have read this and comment they would have needed a PC with internet connection!!!! The government and local authorities already provide this facility, its called a Library. Instead the Government should concentrate on providing High speed access to Broadband throughout the country, as it is currently shocking the low speeds we pay for.
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I think this scheme is a good idea for low income families, however, what amuses me is most low income families already have a pc / laptop in their home and internet access, so majority of them will no doubt claim for a free lap top to either keep or possibly sell it, not all will though may I add. I think you should prove you have no pc or internet access already at home as people applying who really don't have such luxuries are the ones who need it as no doubt there will be many selfish people out there. Also why are some people on here requesting claim packs and where to get them from ... it looks like you already have internet access so why are you wanting an application pack?
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just phoned to apply for free laptop for my child ,but guess what ,.WALES dosnt count again,as usual the goverment dont think we or our children are as important ,,,, wheres the equality in that,i know it wouldnt happen the other way round,its disgusting,dont expect my vote Gordon
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what a JOKE. rang to number to see if i qualifiy for a free latop.I am a single parent with a very low income working 17 hours a week. i get my backside to work every week and have to save weeks for any luxarys. apparently.. if you claim working tax credit you do not qualify for a laptop. interesting... seems that those of you sat on your lazy bums all day claiming job seekers allowance are entitled. where is the fairness in that. makes me sick
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my husband and i work but are just above what they class low income so we are not entitled to claim for the free laptops my kids will have to wait where as those sat on there bums (not all but alot) get everything whats the point in working perhaps we should tell our kids not to bother trying to do well at school as you are better off being on handouts !!!
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this country is moaning out that it is in debt, but then decides to hand out free laptops. its a joke. i work part time and by the time i pay out my rent and council tax each month i am no better off then someone sitting around doing nothing. i have 2 kids but i cant recieve free school meals and this will mean i have no chance of claiming a freee laptop. why not reward the lower working class who carry this country on their back for once. it seems if u try to earn a honest living you mean nothing. u may aswell sit on benifits all your life and get it all given to you. !!!
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Seems like most people on here forget what this scheme is for...Home Access...its not everywhere in the UK you can get internet connection in your home for deals like £6 per month. Im on low income, yes I have a laptop and pc. Both which We had when my partner was working. Lots of people have been made redundant and are trying very hard to get back into work. But my point is, because we have a dogdy exhange it would cost us £30 per month to get broadband plus line rental on top which is utterly rediculous. So we have to put up with a dongle which is very hit and miss and cant hold its signal and im sure lots of you know what i mean when trying to fill in forms and applications and the thing goes off. But the government should deal with the phone exchange and low signal areas, then we all could get NTL and other low cost services.
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why would anybody on benefits want to go to work when they get free rent, free council tax, ,free school travel, free school diners,free prescriptions, and now even free laptops,i apolagise to all you genuine people who are on benefit through no fault of your own,but it really pees me off,my husband works 7 days a week most weeks just to make ends meet,it cost me £69.00 per week to send my 4 children to school for bus fare and dinners,and over the school year its its over £2500,then by the time youve paid for everything people on benefits get for free plus taxes you may aswell not bother working as people on benefits seem,to be far better off. now wheres the fairness because to me there doesnt seem to be any for working familys
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Hi.
I've seen what Laptops are on offer on this scheme and their all crap. The Laptops are the basic rubbish that cannot be sold. So i would not get upset about all those on the dole getting this and you cannot.
Take a look for yourself. www.comet.co.uk/homeaccess www.misco.co.uk/access -
I have just read how to qualify for a free lap top which I don't. However my brother who has 3 lap tops in his house and a PC with broadband does, likewise he gets free school meals for his kids and an allowance to buy school clothes. You wont believe this one either he gets family fund so that he can take his family on holiday, Last Christmas he was in the Canaries this year he is going back. he also gets over 24000 a year in benefits, so i would have to earn over 30,000 to take that home. He even said about this lap top offer why are the asylum seekers included in this they haven't paid into the system hate to say it nor have you,
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i have worked all my life since leaving school and this crap labour goverment does nothing to encourage anybody to work all they do is tax tax tax everything and then waste it on the lazy and the idle i dont begrudge anybody benefits if they deserve them alot of the letters are off people who just want to know how to claim one of these laptops get off your arses and earn one like most workers have to it you cant buy your own go without
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I am quite disgusted as i sit here typing on my secondhand pc. I work full time i'm a single parent of 3 kids and i'm on a low income but as i get working tax credit i do not qualify. personally i'm not terribly bothered that i cant have a free laptop. i do have internet access and pc, even if it is old.... what disgusts me is people like didi's brother who get free holidays, free school meals/clothes and has 3 laptops and broadband access but will still claim for the home access grant....and who is paying for these luxuries.....me and all the other parents on here who work damn hard for a rubbish wage but we fall under the net again and get no government help.
For all those people who have decided to share their sad stories of how life has dealt them a terrible blow...please remember that hard working tax payers also face lifes difficulties and these should not be used as an excuse to get a laptop. clearly everyone who has commented on here has a pc/laptop and internet access so why on earth are you wanting to know how to apply for this scheme?.....i suspect a high percentage want 'something for nothing' ....why not do what i and many other hard working families do and save up! -
I am disgusted, i cant beleive the government are giving free laptops & internet access to families that "sign-on" when people like myself and many others go out to work every day and get no help! I am a single mum and i work part time, i am on a low income but because i get working tax credits i am not eligible!! So as i sit here on my second hand PC using the broadband i work hard for all month to pay for, there are people sitting back, relaxing and getting things given to them on a plate, why work when you can still have luxuries FOR FREE?? i was told that because i work part time i am only entitled to £30 a week housing benefit whereas if i was on income support i would qualify for £130!! maybe i should give up now eh?
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I work full time for the Home access Grant and i have a child and served in the army for 4 and half years, i know better than anyone about this shceme and i think its real sad how people get very upset about the fact that low income families can get a computer and internet access, its great idea because its aim at the children and any parent or person cares about children would think this and any parent who had the CHANCE to do this would take it. People say "its my taxes what are paying for these laptops" what stupid comment to make.. EVERYBODY get taxed one way or the other, some people need to get off the peddle stool and wake up, the system we live in isnt design to be fair and it never will be, im only 24 i realised that a long time ago and its time some you realised it, life aint fair we just have to deal with it, try asking people from poor countrys how they feel about us brits with our free health care and child benefit,ect. people need to grow up, the goverment have done far worse like starting wars. look at the bigger picture and stop nit picking
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The last comment was well said, my husband has worked since he was 16 yrs old and is now 44 he was made redundant 4 months ago and now gets jobseekers allowance all those ppl who have made comments about ppl on the dole being lazy and not wanting to work just need to stop and think how hard it is for a person who's worked all their life to be left with no job and have to live on benefits, yes we will be applying for a free laptop because the 1 we have is from a well known store that we have to pay weekly for and costs a fortune in interest and if the options there to get one then i doubt many ppl would refuse just to prove a point.
i understand that its annoying when u work damn hard and don't have much to show for it by the time rent n all the other bills r paid cause we felt exactely the same b4 and i think its wrong that the government doesn't seem to think that ppl at work need help too but to be fair thats a totally different issue. -
This does seem a pointless idea. Schools get money to build pc suits, these are open at break and lunch times, along with being open after school hours. It's a better idea for the child to use these facilities as they have ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR(!!!), and it encourages the child to get the work done instead of being distracted by TV. Plus not all school work needs to be typed, it can be done by hand...shock! How do I know this? I only left school a few years ago and this is what I had to do. I come from a single parent household and my mother couldn't afford a computer, yet I still was able to do the coursework, I gained 10 GCSE's grade B and C, then went on into higher education. Having a computer and internet at home WILL NOT make the child have better grades, it'll give them more opportunity to procrastinate!
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how many freeloaders on here ? ive worked for 30yrs and paid tax etc all my life got nothing back of the goverment,as for kids if you cant afford them dont have them, and you expect tax payers foot the bill.
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im gettin 1 yey x
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im 15 and my guardians are on benifits would we be able to get a free laptop . as i need computer access for revision and coursework
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What an insult to all the hardworking people out there who struggle to make mortgage payments each month to keep a roof over their heads. They have no money left for luxuries such as laptops and nor do their children. They go out to work and support all the unemployed and now discover that they are now paying for them to have the luxury items such as laptops. How many of these laptops will actually be used to benefit the family and how many will be sold at stores like cash generator. I myself work hard as does my husband and guess what i cannot have the luxury of a laptop or even a pc at home, i am currently using the library computer. What is wrong with them doing the same after all they have nothing else to do all day whilst we do. Contributing to yet another item from our tax, providing laptops. If the government do this for them then maybe its time we were rewarded too and they can supply the whole of the country with one. Absolute disgrace that we are penalised for simply earning a honest living and paying our way in society
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You disgusting spiteful bitter people.
If your entitled then go for it, Its for your children, if people abuse it, then bad on them , (because a lot will)
But a lot will not.
. Your only putting down the scheme because you cant get one yourself ,(or you wouldnt be here!)
my advice to you disgusting bitter people, BE happy ,you have a job and can support yourselves and family intstead of being on benefits. GOOD FOR YOU!!
Oh, and Dont blame people on low incomes, blame the goverment, eh? -
homeaccess laptops are rubbish especially brighthouse and comets i advise you to buy from POSITIVEIT although its located in manchester in a warehouse you have to order online or by phone however they do great deals like a samsung r519 with 2gb memory and 160gb hdd at only 399.99 with no extra payment i ordered mine by phone and waiting for arrival by dhl. they also do small samsung netbooks
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comments about people on benefits taking people tax money . these people are brain washed into beliving this most of the money to pay for benefits comes from industry tax which is a huge sum . most people dont want to be out of work for their own self respect if they have any.
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I was furious when I learned about this scheme, and I only learned about it when someone told me about a woman they knew who had one of these free laptops from the government who went and sold it at cash converters to fund her drug habit. This government is simply bonkers! People on low incomes who go out to work each day are struggling to make ends meet while being taxed to the hilt by gordon `broon` and his government, they get no help whatsover while their taxes are being chucked down the drain in this fashion. I honestly wish I could emigrate as I have had it!
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im not on any benefits but have a disabled son i get dla at the higher rate so do i qualify for a free laptop?
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vI am lucky enough to work and be able to afford to buy my son a laptop, but If I was one of those unfortunate enough to lose my job, like many others I know, my son would be seriously disadvantaged as most of his school work has to be completed online, so yes I think it's fair and cannot believe some of the comments made regarding this scheme. Should children who though no fault of their own, and often no fault of their parents be disadvantaged yet again, when it comes to getting the most out of our education system. HOW SELFISH
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Look this is how it is.....some of us low income people that get benefits would love to be able to go out or even save for a laptop or computer but we have to put our other needs first like rent, gas, electric, food, clothes for our children and ourselves.and then the BILLS.
We cant all have very well paid jobs or hand outs from our mummys and daddys so we have to make do with what we have.
You people are very jealous and i can bet that if the tables were reversed then you would not have a thing to say than a BIG FAT THANK YOU!!! to the government for helping out your children when they do well at school thanks to their new laptop.
This is the link you will need to apply http://www.homeaccess.org.uk/ -
i am a single parent working full-time, why do i have to work every hour god sends just to keep a roof over our heads & pay bills etc, leaving me with very little for luxuries!! basically you could say im working to live, no joy or time or money to splash out like i feel the many of us who pay taxes should be entitled to & able to do, where are our rewards for working & paying taxes?? i struggle every day, try as best i can to save what i can when i can but its so difficult, yet i know of people who are on benifits who have a very stress-free, easy living lifestyle.
i don't have any problems with people who truely are unable to work for whatever reasons claiming benefits but for those who just cannot be bothered to get a job really annoys me!! i mean why should they even contemplate looking for work when everything is basically handed to them on a plate - free living?!? i couldn't afford to purchase a laptop outright, my son would love a laptop of his own but he understands i can't magic money out of thin air, he understands if you want something you have to work for it...
id like to know where is the fairness in that????? simple answer---ITS NOT FAIR!!!!! its just not right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
I suppose you don't get tax credits of any shape or form then Christine? Seems the ones who moan have got jobs..the thing is there are many people who want to work, but can't as there aren't enough jobs to go around. Myself and partner have four children, we are educated to quite a high level and still cannot find employment. We have never claimed free dinners, free uniforms or anything except the bare minimum. Living on benefits is stress free? easy living lifestyle? You are one deluded individual, who to me seems very ignorant. Unfortunately we live in a country that gives too much to outsiders, before taking care of their own, blame your Government...not the people in the country. Your hard feelings are a result of a very poorly managed country.
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i found this site whilst doing research for uni. i have a full time job and a part time job and am at uni and my husband who is disabled and does not have to work but does work full time for a minimum wage we have 6 children and do not qualify for any benefits although we can barely pay our bills each month yet i can still see the benefits of this scheme. we can not blame the children because their parents dont work.... why shouldnt every child have the chance to better themselves and lets face it having internet access does provide opportunities.... yeah i agree it would be nice not to have to go into debt so my children can have a lap top but we still should not gripe about other children being given the same.......... we cant tar every none working parent with the same brush..... maybe you should vent your anger at the government they are the ones who you should be angry at not children who live on the poverty line
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you are only eligible if u live in england and your child attends full time education....u have to be in receipt of beneits or working tax credit.......and ur child has to be between the age of 4 and 14 yrs ..... if you live in wales you have to contact ur local government to see when the scheme will be launched in wales.... this is fact as i have spoken to the people who are giving out the claim packs for this....hope this helps .....
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Hi i am a parent on benifits due to having a disabled son.Who need constant care.I live in scotland does that mean i am not intiteld to a laptop
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if you type in home access then it will come up for the free laptops for children. if you recieve child tax credit and working tax credit then you cannot apply. only if you recieve child tax credit and your income is less than 16 000 or you are on benefits and have children
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sickening, absolutely sickening.... what a total waste of money, words fail me.
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I just got a laptop from the government and was wondering which websites are you not allowed to go on? As I heard that they are tracked. Can someone please write back so I know soon, Thanks ;)
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hi ppl i have a 10 year old i applied for a computer through the scheme ,me and my partner both are not working we are on benefits and recieving child tax and no working tax ,income is less than 16,000 , but u know what they refused my application i dont have any idea why when i rang them they said my last years income was high ,,and i said well we have had no income this year ,,,i wasent getting anywhere with the person so i hung up on them ,,,,can any1 help in this
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I HATE this home access. im 22 and have been to university, worked part time whilst there, and in total have worked none stop since i was 16. At the min i work for a company that supply people with the broadband part of it so i get people coming into the store to enquire about this. the problem i see is that these parents have NO KNOWLEDGE at all on computers and therfor will be unable to help their children when they ask questions on it. Another point is that MOST of the parents have jokingly said to me that they themselves will be using it to play games on facebook... IS THIS REALLY WHAT WE PAY TAXES FOR?????????
i am all for kids growing up with an understanding of computers but i think the money would have been better spent investing into school computer suites and training up a teacher in each school on computers...
what were the government thinking? kids of that age dont need internet for homework... people that have never paid a penny into the tax systems again can rinse the country??? - - - - - at the minute in UK you are better off if you sign on!!!
it makes me sooooo angry.
p.s... i have nothing against people who are low income (actually going to work) but i am against people who sign on every week to play on facebook games with the laptop taxpayers have bought. -
I have worked all my life for very little money,luck was not a friend of mine,i put this pc together from old crap that i got from boot sales and friends,its about as unreliable as most things in this life and i have put the software back in a million times after crashing,i realise a lot of people have a computer of sorts but a new laptop will be reliable and assist young pupils in thier education,why do people who work think they are exclusively paying for them,i have paid for 50 years and my grandkid sould be worth £500,by the way the pc itself is not that good,if you take away the price of the monitor, mouse, etc and add a desk and printer the pc should be worth about £150,getting a laptop does not seem a good idea if you do not want tea, jam, juice, whatever wrecking it!,you still need a printer, i will end up buying a pc for my grandaughter out of my own meagre pittance,no- one asked for this scheme so miserable ***** like the classic moaners on here should just suck it up,
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in response to Megan's comment dated 1st May, you are not able to go on sites such as facebook, myspace, msn, social networking sites etc, etc. you have to un-install net intelligence and then you can access those sites.
hope that works. -
i have been reading through the comments and feel the need to comment as some of the statements are so unnecessary about people who 'sign on' i have worked since i was 17, i was made redundant in 2003 and had to sign on. i had to work as a temp as i could not find any permanent work. last year February my temparary contract came to an end and i was again without work so had to 'sign on' the jsa monies i get is only what i have put into the system. yep there are people out there who do not want to work, but saying that people who sign on get everything is so wrong. i feel its bad that people like me have to sit here and justify ourselves to people who don't know any better.
the free laptops are not all that they are cracked up to be and as i have been told 'they are free aren't they!' like i should be grateful and keep quiet.
its a sad state of affairs that people have to be so bitter when they feel that they are not getting what others are getting. i would much prefer to have a job where i can afford to buy my daughter things off my own back, but if someone is going to give me a helping hand to put a smile on her face, then, i am going to take it and be grateful.
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This could be a long one, I apologise in advance. I am a single parent of 2, 1 of which is entitled to the laptop. I did not choose to be a single parent, my ex had an affair and left me for her 9 months ago. Thats when our whole lives changed, we moved from norfolk to york to be near my family. I'd been a stay at home mum for over ten years, my ex worked hard, paid his taxes and we didn't claim any benefits. As far as getting a job goes, the rules have changed now. As single parents we are expected to be in work by the time our youngest child is 7, (unless in f/t education), it was 10 last year and 12 the year before that. No offence to anyone, but I do not want just any job,(been there done that for 7 years pre children). I want to be a midwife. I have this chance now, which I didn't with my ex, (long story) to go to college in sept, then uni the following year for 3 years. Yes I'll have been claiming benefits for 2 years (can't get them/or VERY little when at uni, will get bursary/loans ). But as a midwife I will be able to pay back to the state everything I claimed and then some. In response to SMELL on the 4th May. My child is in year 6 and has been using the internet for homework for years, the teachers even suggest it.
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Ive been reading these comments and I feel upset im on benefits with children, But the day I left school I worked even at school I had a saturday job then I had my 3rd child and thats when I had to finish work because I had post natal drepression which started me having panic attacks. I didnt leave my house for 2years n still suffer now. Will people stop saying that us on benefits are lazy not all of us are we have just start claiming because my hubby got made reduntant and everyday hes looking for a job. Hes trying everything bless him! My step children use the internet for home work and i believe they have come on better due to this. Stop bulling people like me who cant help what there body does to them!!!
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And you wonder why so many are on benefits and do not want to come off?? Well it is because the government is throwing money and freebies at them. Go and see majority on benefits have luxury lives, expensive tv's and game consoles and laptops. They have far more in their pockets than they would have if they were working and paying for everything. The down side is your chilld has to be in school year 3 or above i'm not talking about the age. Otherwise you do not qualify. You must be on full benefits.
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What i complete waste of tax payers money,another scheme to show society that if you do nothing you are rewarded.My husband and i both work full time but becos we recieve working tax credit we are not entitiled to aything.Think the labour goverment should be looking at ways in helping the people who voted for them the WORKING class an help the people who are getting their backsides out of bed evryday and paying back in society.
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i personally think that its disgusting, we are supposed to be in a recession yet the government is giving away free laptops to families on low income, and ive just seen on the tv that the government is now cutting benefits for people that are ill to save money and get the country back on track, they could have done this by not giving away laptops to families that are unemployed etc as most of these will just be sold to cash converters etc or to people they know . disgusting
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to apply just go on the home acces websit, just type in home acces grant into the search engine and you need to ring the number and ask for a form when you get the form fill it in and send it off with proof of what your parents claim they copy the proof and sent the originals back within a couple of days if you have been accepted for the grant they will send you a letter saying that you have then within 10 days of getting that letter you will recive your laptop voucher. its been proven that childern with a computer at home do betteri math and english so please stop being negative (jelous) as this scheme is there to help children of the uk get a better education so they can get good jobs when there older...........
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i am motified to think that as my husband has been made redundant twice in 18 months and we have recieved a free laptop for our 3 daughter one of which has special needs ,we are accussed of being LAZY GOOD FOR NOTHING BUMS we have never recieved a penny from anyone till now my husband is re training and fully intends returning back to work asap . the small amount of morgage we have and our food is covered and nothing else ! my husand is as from 2 weeks time completed his plumbing level 2 at 41 may be these low paid people should get off there bums and retrain to earn a better wage and stop winging about low wages feel better now !!!!!!!!!!! oh and we paid for his course from his reduncy money so didnt claim that either !!!!!!!!!!!
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well the government are trying to stop or cut down benefits for people that are ill thats what i was getting at, they are doing this to try and get some money back to the country yet they are giving away millions of pounds in laptops, i personally know of 3 people that have been given these and have sold them on, i have 4 young children but i dont think that giving them all a laptop is going to improve there education, most kids only want laptops to go on crappy sites like f~~~book etc, if kids need laptops then they should have them in school, i am 33 and always worked and never needed a laptop in school to have a good education, the teachers are supposed to be learning them everything they need to know not the internet
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Its it only too low income familys?
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I my self have no income and also no income my wife . can we claim for a grant for the free laptop scheme for our children
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i myself agree to some of the nasty comments about people on benefits i recently had a stroke at the age of 47 i worked a night shift then that morning suffered a stroke i,m now in a wheelchair trying to come to terms with it i,m still fighting for my rights 7 weeks on to wat i,m entitled to yes i agree some people abuse the systems but not everyone a lot off places i need to contact about strokes are emails i would love to know if i,m entitled to a laptop it would help me a great deal
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hi michelle drew you have to have children to be entitled to a free laptop because the government are giving them to children to help with there education supposedly anyway, its worth enquiring though, good luck
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Atif Sharif , yes you should be able to but why not just get jobs , there are plenty out there for people that are willing to work
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all you lot moaning about CHILDREN getting a free laptop so what they need it for there education.......some people cant get a job due to the immigrants come over here and take all the jobs!! anyway i think its a great ting for children
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Lauren, do you have any proof of these immigrants taking jobs, or are you simply mindlessly repeating some garbage you read in the Daily Mail? There are plenty of jobs out there, and lots of immigrants work as cleaners or in fast food places. If you're having difficulty finding work flipping burgers then the problem lies with you.
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i jus want to add i am on benefits, and yes i do have internet and a pc but like most of you i saved up and bought it myself and dont allow the children on it, i think this scheme is a great idea as i have two autistic sons and think this is a great oppertunity for them to learn on a child friendly computer with educational software to help with there needs, those who have a problem you need to write to the government and stop having a go at people on here, we cant help what the government do but like any sane person no matter how much money you have your not going to turn down an oppertunity for your child to be given a free item to aid there learning,
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Ok I have thought in depth about this subject for ages and it leaves such a bitter taste in my mouth. I am sick to death of having to pay through the nose for everything because I work. I have 3 children who I hardly ever see due to the fact I constantly have to work overtime to give me a decent wage. I am unable to go on family holidays and find it a stretch to even manage a cinema outing a month due to the cost. My 2 girls recently went on a school trip which cost working parents £150 for each child whilst kids in receipt of free meals got for £10. Now I fully understand that no child should lose out on development oppertunities due to their parents inability or unwillingness to work but where is the incentive for these people who dont have jobs to go out and find one. I am filled with anxiety every time my children ask for cash for trips and outings and things but because i love them and dont want them to lose out I need to work more overtime to earn the cash and as a consiquence lose out in seeing them grow up. I am supposed to work a 40 hour week but at times have to work 70 to make ends meet or in preparation for christmas etc. My children dont have a laptop because I simply cant afford one! Why is the government not helping us families who are trying to help ourselves. Instead, they tax the salary of us folks who are working our fingers to the bone to give our kids a decent life to give it to people who refuse to work and the question has to be asked, why should they go out and work there backsides off, pay through the nose for absolutley everything when they can stay on benefits and be given items such as laptops that working parents cannot afford. A lady I know is on benefits and also works, she and her family go on to holidays abroad per year. Her kids are dressed in the best of clothes and they eat out nearly every night. where is the fairness in this?. This whole issue is really not about laptops, its about people with work ethic being sick to the back teeth of the government taking from them to give it to individuals who would rather sit and do nothing and have everything handed to them on a plate. I am sick of people saying they are too sick to work, myself and my husband have had serious illness in the recent past and we worked through it..because we had too!...we have children to feed and a house to run. What this laptop issue has raised is that the government are stealing from the real poor to give to the lazy!!!
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well said Mary Lambie , i totally agree with everrything you say
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I would like to know how to get a free laptop for my kids education
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can anyone help me,my son is 17 very clever and in full time education at college,i am on income support and have bought him laptop but now it is broke,can i get another one free from any grants ?please help as i cant afford to buy him other one and he need one sfor college for his course work.
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I have a 8 years old daughter and I am a single mum works part time in a school as a dinner lady low income and i cant afford to get my daughter a laptop to help her look for work or do school projects if you could help out sending a free laptop.Thanks
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i am disgusted with the jealousy in the world today, i am sitting here with my brand new notebook i have kindly received from the government access grant!!! i am not a bum, bumming benefits, im simply an unlucky person who has yet to gain any type of employment!!!! i sign on every 2weeks, its not easy you know!!! the jobcentre is terrible!! we get looked down on like scum....... and as for the moaners saying this that n other bowt likes ov us.....use ya loaf n pack ya job in ya jealous moany people!!! i have never paid tax in my life, as i cant get a job!!! but having said that im lovin my new laptop its brill thanks to the very kind government!!!! mwah
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well gl with it alfie hope it helps you find a job,i still cant find out how to get one for my 17 year old son who is full time at college,this one im using is on its last legs dont know what he do when it goes,as i got application but because he is 17 he not eligable, which i think is wrong,please anyone else in my situation can you suggest anything ? thank you
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why do people have to shorthand there writing , maybe your laptop can check your scally spelling alfie
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i am on benifits at the moment but i am trying really to find a job , my 9yr old son as been in and out of hospital for the past two years . back in Jan my son had a four week stay in two diffrent hospitals . we found out that Louis as got a rare illness and he will be on tablets for the rest of is life . Louis needed lots off help with school work because he is so far behide the rest of the children. i was able to get Louis a laptop from home access its a basic model but does the job we also got one year internet on a dongal .Louis as a older sister who as got ADHD and ODD , its really great to take Louis out with the laplap away from the home . in my life i have been on both sides of the fence so i can see where people are coming from staying its not far .
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Before anybody says anything about my spelling mistakes i know (laplap) meant to be laptop...
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adhd is just an excuse for bad behaviour
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i would agree with that but she as been on tablets since the age of five and seen any doctors over the years , she is now 16yrs old . we were told 10yrs ago that she would be hard work .. one step forward three steps back .
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my nephew has it supposedly and he gets away with murder, he has learned to play on it, his mum lets him get away with it ----------------------- anywya laptops lol not illnesses -------- getting away from the initial subject then lol
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A family got a free laptop with mobile broadband , the whole family as already got state of the art pc's in there house desktops/laptops and some really nice printers costing a lot off money . the free laptop they was selling for £150 but they only got £100 for it . they spent the money on a night out and got some drugs to lol......a family member is getting a free laptop within the next to weeks which could be sold on for a night out or money for christmas for the children..
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ADHD is not an excuse for children "getting away with murder" as you put it, perhaps you should spend more time learning how to spell before you make anymore ill qualified remarks Mohammed35 Jealousy is not a pretty thing
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jealousy !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i dont need a laptop, i work for everything i own or need
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well said dionne but not to get on the wrong side of you . The subject is about free laptops . ps i think may gnilleps is ok lol.......
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Yeah I have now read the comments and I think that it is Wrong and total idiotic move to be Frank. I used to sign on due to certain problems which am not going to go into but it was for a very short time I am now working full time and have done since signing off yeah I have had several jobs but never been out of work again. I slave away day after day for minimum wage which might I add is a joke. I mean it is disgustingthat the government will not help with the people like myself that work for the people just to si on there ass bad or not only 1 in each cliometrics to be bad so why don't there partners get off there ass and work? Single parents easy take your kids to a play group or something there funded by the government if you can find one close to you. Also why laptops and Internet everyone postin saying it's a good idea ermm what are you using? I am using my phone why? Because my laptop was stolen by someone on the dole along with most of my possessions and what happens with him well he can apply for one and get it how wrong is that not even arrested or anything but instead the government just hands him a laptop on the plate practically. This is wrong and sick on so many levels. People on benefits take a look at your life and just remember that me and everyone else working is the ones that keep you warm and fed and keep you dressed it's like were all parents to the country and that is not how it should be. Make some new jobs available and stop with all the handots people expect them more and more and your giving it to them what's the point of working if we don't see any benefits for the working class??
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i think free laptop is a good idea but more checks should be done on the familys who getting them because the way its done is a bit unfair . i am currently looking for a job anything really , seen a job in the local paper thing is i would need to catch three buses and a train each day costing me nearly £40 per day
looks like i will be on benifits for a big longer . £24 return on the train and £16 on the bus each day £200 per week for travel -
I'd just like to say people on Benefits are not scroungers ,free loaders or any thing of the sort and for all you are lucky to have jobs then you could be One wage slip from the signin on que.People dont want to live on 65 quid a week.YOU MAY NEED HELP yourself one day and then youll see you will take all the help you can as its tough.
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If you have a job you are very lucky indeed.Where as people should not be punished for doing well.But all people ,families ,kids deserve the right to education , options and choices dont blame the people who end up on benefits may I add a lot of people on them have worked all their adult life and due to the state of things at the moment no jobs and people loosing jobs due to cuts and buisnesses closing left right and centre but the pc sceme is fantastic as lets not forget they are for kids and they are our future it is gonna be hard enough for them as it is growing up today. And if they live in a household with no pc and internet access then lets make sure they can but also there is a thing called fairness and it should be all households who do not have this as they can not afford it then lets all make sure they can.
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how come people who dont work get everythin i think they should get of there lasy ass and get a job for luxories like that people should work for not sit on there ass. GET A JOB!!!
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exactly mate, well done luke on your comment, this country is full of lazy asses that dont work that get everything free of charge from the government
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I posted earlier with regards to free laptops and have just received a pc for my son who has autusim and adhd, They loaded it with specificly designed programmes according to his ability and say thank you to the government for giving for a change, I'm neither a ponse or lazy, just a single mum dumped and had to give up work because his dad could not handle a disabled child. Please don't put us all in the same boat, I never planned to live this way
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the government are just giving laptops away, and most of te people will be selling them on to pay for beer or drugs, its pathetic
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I have to agree with everybody commenting on the government helping other countries before helping its own. I myself do not have a child who qualifies for a free laptop but think anybody who does good luck to them. Does anybod complain about people coming into this country and bleeding it dry? If igt wasnt for all the foreigners more people would be able to get jobs. I have a 33 year old son who is desperate to work and has actually been told by the Job Centre that he is wasting his time going there. I am 58 yrs old and have terminal cancer until I became ill I worked full time and I can honestly say I do not begrudge any parent a laptop for their children. Nobody know whats around the corner illness can strike quickly and drastically change lives so all of you working moaners out there be grateful that a. you have a job and b. that you are healthy enough to be able to work.
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if my family came of benefits would a granny get more pension would a hospital get more money. no not likely. your all so bitter,were all doing the best we can. the lap tops are recons and the retailers are robbing the goverments as you can get better laptops alot cheaper than the retailer charged the gov .were all suposed to starve and smoke and drink beer from cans and keep our kids in deprivation in our grotty little council houses,im sick of your snobery the attitude that were all bums ,i dont smoke my kids are well dressed and guess what weve even got sky we choose to spend our money on our children and it really does not concern anyone eles ,does any suburban nob want to trade my council house and my estate and watch your kids dragged into huddydom and gangs or get crucified by their piers i will workfor my own home i will not work my arse of to exist on an estate and go nowhere like my stupid parents and their parents did. you have to live our lives to understand we live for the moment we have no future you all work hard for your nice homes your two cars and your family holidays we just get by. our future is now our kids future is the hoody that kept me up all night because he was high why are you all so jelous of this exsistance .dont bother to tell me i cant spell duh thats why im where you want me in s**tdom on benefits,were all so lucky if you dont think so go to a third world country and watch real suffering.our goverment should reward hard workers,but it wont because their all twits in gated properties and they dont live in the real world.you really shouldnt be jelous of my kids, life wont be kind to them even if a job landed on my lap tomorrow .
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Oh deary me. some of these responses just clarifies exactly why I have to fight harder as a single parent not to be stereotyped into the category of a lazy single parent with no direction or drive in life. I'm from Northern Ireland. I have four kids. I left my foreign husband in his native country after he lost everything through cocaine and heroine consumption . I became fearful for our lives so I stole home with our kids with only the clothes on our back. I tried working right away but I was worse off with two babie in childcare, and I was also doing extra homework with my kids to get them speaking fluently in English. Rather than sit on my arse and just wait for the kids grow old enough, I got myself immediately on a degree course, which I am currently doing. Not all single parents choose to be single parents. I loved my husband. i wanted to be with him forever. I left him only because I absolutely had to . My children have no father. I am my kids only hope to becoming wholsome, I am their guide, their mentor through life and I firmly believe (like the saying) that 'a child only educated at school is an uneducated child'. I strive for my kids to be happy, fulfilled and confident, despite what they have been through. We have had to deal with huge berievement and loss despite the person we love is still alive. I still have to prepare my kids future knowing the difficulties and stereotyping we face. I tell them..When you grow up, 'always be prepared for work' so I know I am preparing my kids in building their character and self esteem and turning them into strong people so they are good self managers mentally and physically ready to tackle all lifes challenges so history does not repeat itself. I want my children to contribute positively to society which means working for a living.. If you stereotype me YES....I'm a lazy single mother in a run down house with no car. But have you followed me walking to the library in the snow to do my study to save on oil, or watched me explain delicately to my kids why their doting father chose drugs over them? Or have you watched me work through the night to submit an assigment when my kids were ill and off school. Children of single parents are statistically worse off than kids who have two parents (not all), why? for a whole load of different reasons, some are similar reasons to mine but the kids parent for different reasons haven't been able to come out of it the same way which i have is why nobody should be stereotyped. Granted!!! there are some lazy people, but social conditioning is an awful thing to try tackle especially when you come from the poorest parents. I won't apologise for preparing my kids to be the best that they can.. And I will sacrifice everything to that end! Yes ..I would like a laptop too! I see it as an investment into my kids future...In a couple of years i will be out there contributing to society too, so I am thankful for what we have . I would prefer to be working already. But there is a problem with the welfare system in allowing to make that possible for me right now.. the system cannot and will never be tailor made for everyones needs. We have to accept that and work around it, always striving to make the most of ourselves, and not worry what everyone else is getting or not getting. I am studying Arts and humanities...I'm getting there!!!
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Hi im on DLA and ESA im on low income My Husband work we dont get no working tax or no help on council tax and housing benefit please can you help i was wondering what help i can get i need a laptop as my broken as i do a hobby on there.
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i was wondering if the goverment will be helping poor parents get access to the internet again as im single parent ( divorced) and my daughter is getting to the age where she needs a laptop for her school work and i just cant find the funds. does anyone know?
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Hi there Dawn & Sue, Have you tried the family fund for help, they help families on DLA and low income,also try the website turn2us they have a list of charities that help with all sorts, hope this helps :)
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i was wondering if someone could tell
me when we would be able to clam for
a grant for the free laptop scheme
for my children.
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