Released on = April 12, 2006, 5:45 am

Press Release Author = Century Computing Support Services Ltd

Industry = Computers

Press Release Summary = Gordon Brown axed the Home Computer Initiative (HCI) giving
Value Added Resellers (VARs) just 10 days to react. CRN magazine reports that one
VAR has already gone into voluntary liquidation following the budgetary news.

Press Release Body = Back in 1999 Patricia Hewitt a then DTI Minister announced the
Home Computer Initiative (HCI). The reasoning behind this was given as \"to drive up
PC penetration in private homes, building up peoples IT skills, encouraging digital
inclusion and ensuring that the UK is the leading country in Europe for e-Business.\"

The scheme was designed to allow individuals to purchase computers through their
companies. The cost of the equipment was deducted from salaries before tax, thus
saving the employees up to 40% of the total equipment cost.

On 22nd March 2006 the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown killed off the
entire initiative from 6th April 2006 in his new budget. Calls for a reversal have
come into the Government from the Shadow Chancellor George Osborne, as well as many
UK business leaders. As many companies across the UK were set up purely to support
or provide the HCI to businesses, the budget can be said to have had a very damaging
effect for some people.

Technical Director at
Web Site = http://www.CenturyComputing.co.uk

Contact Details = Birmingham
United Kingdom
0845 3313599
info@centurycomputing.co.uk