John Lamont MP has backed the UK Government’s partnership with TalkTalk and Jobcentre Plus to provide jobseekers with six months of free broadband. The UK wide scheme is available to jobseekers in the Borders now.
The scheme provides Jobseekers with six months of contract free broadband via a home router, usually costing £23 a month. After six months, customers can cancel with no additional cost, or choose to continue onto a contract with TalkTalk. Its rollout to jobseekers in the Borders and the rest of the UK follows a successful trial in the North West of England.
Mr Lamont has written to Jobcentres across the Borders to make them aware of the provision, and to encourage them to invite jobseekers to take up the opportunity. To access this scheme, jobseekers must request it from their Jobcentre Plus work coach.
The importance of a connection to the internet and the opportunities that this opens up for people cannot be understated. The scheme aims to allow those who would otherwise be excluded from the digital world to access a connection.
Commenting, Conservative MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh & Selkirk John Lamont said:
“This UK Government backed scheme will have a positive impact on the capacity of Borderers to find work opportunities. Accessing broadband can present a real barrier for those applying for jobs, so I am pleased that the provision of free broadband for those who need it will help to overcome this.
“Whilst the Scottish Government has had to delay the completion date of the R100 broadband programme, the UK Government has been providing concrete solutions to the real issues Borderers are facing in accessing broadband.
“This is an excellent scheme that has the potential to open up a wide range of opportunities to jobseekers who may otherwise struggle to gain access to the internet. I would like to encourage anyone who may be eligible for this scheme to reach out to their local Jobcentre to apply.”
