Battle to get laptops for Blackpool children

Diane Booth’s comments came as fears were raised by councillors that some children in the resort were missing out on laptops and internet access while schools are closed during lockdown.

Ms Booth told a meeting of the council’s children and young people’s scrutiny committee: “It’s almost a daily conversation with the Department for Education (DfE) about the lack of equipment, and the time it’s taken to provide that digital access for the most deprived town in the country.

“We should have been top of the list for everything and we should have been prioritised very quickly. It’s simply not good enough.”

She said after “escalating” the situation, some issues had been resolved “but we are still not confident that every child in Blackpool will have access to the equipment they need.”

Paul Turner, head of school standards, safeguarding and inclusion at the council, said not every child had received the equipment they needed and it would be four to six weeks before it was provided by the DfE.

But he added: “There is no child in Blackpool unable to complete work at all because of the nature of the supply of school based equipment, which is being sent to children’s homes on a daily basis with safe and well check.”

Coun Maxine Callow told the meeting, four to six weeks was a long time to wait for equipment.

She said: “Children only get one chance in life of an education.

“Sadly, with family circumstances, there may be parents who have not got the finance to buy laptops. Some children might not catch up and that’s heartbreaking.”

Coun Kath Benson, cabinet member for schools, education and aspiration, urged councillors to use some of their ward budgets to support schools in their area who might need financial help to buy equipment for pupils.

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