Brentford MP Ruth Cadbury MP has called on the government to take urgent action to ensure students and pupils have access to IT equipment while studying at home during lockdown.

According to Ofcom more than a million students lack a device to enable them to learn from home, with many others either having to share or use unreliable devices and inadequate data.

Ms Cadbury, who has written a letter outlining her concerns to Gavin Williamson, the Education Secretary, said: "This is the third time I've written to the government about the urgent need for action to ensure that that all students learning from home have access to both the devices and data that they need.

"The government have known for months that this is a major issue, however they've yet to step up and provide pupils with the support they need.

"This has meant that schools, charities, businesses, and community groups such as Hounslow Promise have had to fill the gap left by this Government.

"I'm extremely worried that many students in Hounslow either lack access to a device or reliable connection, or are having to share kit among others in their family studying or working from home.

"This will hit the least well off families the hardest and could widen the attainment gap for pupils across the country.

"I will keep raising this issue with the Government and calling for much needed action."