Google to give schools Raspberry Pi microcomputers

Schools around the UK are to be given 15,000 free microcomputers, with a view to creating a new generation of computer scientists.

Funded by Google, the Raspberry Pi Foundation hopes the free devices will inspire children to take up coding.

Google chairman Eric Schmidt told the BBC's LJ Rich that the search engine giant had decided to invest in the Raspberry Pi because of its "very clever design".

He also responded to criticism in the UK about the amount of tax paid by his firm. Mr Schmidt said Google paid "whatever taxes are required".