Broadband bills could be cut for millions of low-income households under Government plans to encourage ‘social tariffs’.
A new service run by the Department of Work and Pensions started this week which will allow internet service providers to verify – with customers’ permission – whether they are in receipt of a relevant benefit and therefore eligible for extra financial support.
The Government has called on all broadband providers to offer and promote social tariffs – discounted broadband and mobile deals for people on Universal Credit and other benefits – with statistics showing only 1.2% of those eligible have taken advantage of such a package.
Customers on social tariffs could in some cases save over a hundred pounds a year. The new system will also simplify the process by removing the need for customers to prove their entitlement to broadband providers as regularly as every month.
The Government’s Cost of Living Business Tsar, David Buttress, has welcomed the new scheme and committed to continue working with industry to scale up and promote existing social tariffs, as well as encourage all providers to offer a discounted tariff. He has also announced an expansion of the Help For Households scheme
Check the Ofcom website to see if you can switch to a social tarriff
Meanwhile consumer website MoneySavingExpert has published a guide to broadband for low income families .
