A total of 1,883 devices will be provided by Sandwell Council for children ages five, six and seven to make sure they can continue to learn during lockdown.

The laptops are for those young children who are most disadvantaged at school in a bid to help make sure these children do not fall behind their classmates. Councillor Joyce Underhill, cabinet member for best start in life, said:

"This pandemic is hard for everyone but particularly for those families without devices to help children learn remotely. The Department for Education has provided laptops for some older children so we are funding the gap to ensure younger children don't miss out on remote learning while they are not in school.

"It is vital children continue to learn while at home and we hope these devices will help them get the best from remote learning.

The scheme will cost £441,563 with primary schools distributing the laptops to those parents who are eligible.