Stone champions home access with first bus tour

Government scheme starts in Oldham and Suffolk, with Stone driving the message in an adapted bus

PC builder Stone Computers has kicked off its government-led home access drive this week, unveiling its Get on Board bus.

Launched in September by Gordon Brown, the £300m Home Access scheme aims to give every child in England access to a PC at home. This week sees the pilot start in Oldham and Suffolk and Stone is one of six suppliers taking part.

Stone, which has partnered with Orange and security vendor intY for the initiative, is touring the area in its specially decked-out bus.

In addition, Stone is looking into a finance scheme for parents who do not qualify for free computers, but who still need financial help; and plans to teach children and parents internet safety as a value-add service.

Keith Collins, group commercial director at Stone, said: “Being safe on the internet is a bit like learning the highway code. We are trying to make parents and pupils more aware of the risks when using the internet.”

Schools minister Jim Knight, said: “Home access is becoming an essential part of education and having a computer with internet access should be seen to be as essential as having a pen and paper.