Tuesday's budget contained proposals to massively expand computer use at home, school, community and work.

From 6 April 1999, employers will be able to loan computers to their staff to use and learn at home without incurring any tax liabilities. Details of the scheme are contained in the press release.

In addition, the government has confirmed that it expects all 32,000 schools to be connected to the Internet within three years, and that a programme has been started to train 370,000 teachers in computer and information technology skills across the country.

A £20 mllion fund to assist teachers in obtaining computers for use at home was also announced.