A new survey from Citizens Advice suggests that as many as one million people cut off their broadband in the last year as the cost of living crisis left them unable to afford it. The charity found that those on Universal Credit were six times more likely to have stopped their broadband in the last 12 months than those who are not receiving the benefit amid rising bills.
Citizens Advice warned that the increasingly essential service was becoming out of reach for greater numbers of households. While those on Universal Credit are among customers who should be eligible for discounted social tariffs to help them stay connected, uptake of the lower rates is currently just 5 per cent.
Ofcom figures show 95 per cent of 4.3 million eligible households are missing out on saving £200 on broadband costs each year - leaving £824 million of support going unclaimed.
Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: "People are being priced out of internet access at a worrying rate. Social tariffs should be the industry's safety net, but firms' current approach to providing and promoting them clearly isn't working. The people losing out as a result are the most likely to disconnect.
"The internet is now an essential part of our lives - vital to managing bills, accessing benefits and staying in touch with loved ones.
"As providers continue to drag their feet in making social tariffs a success, it's clear that Ofcom needs to hold firms' feet to the fire."
A Government spokeswoman said: "The Government has worked with Ofcom and the industry to introduce a range of high-quality, low-cost broadband social tariffs into the market. Available in 99% of the UK, these offers start from £10 per month and are currently available from 19 providers.
"As well as this, our broadband eligibility checker simplifies the verification process and improves access to social tariffs for benefit claimants, with major providers Sky and Virgin Media already signed up and others encouraged to follow suit.
"In addition, Jobcentre staff regularly signpost claimants to relevant information on social tariffs, and claimants can access computers for their work search at their local Jobcentre."
Walnut Unlimited surveyed 6,000 UK adults online including a total of 1,215 people in receipt of Universal Credit between January 9 and February 8, 2023.
The new system put in place last year makes it quicker for broadband providers' to check eligibility by accessing a special Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) IT system - with the claimant's permission.
Benefits that the DWP’s system will be able to verify entitlement for are:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-Related Employment Support Allowance
Social tariff broadband packages
People in receipt of benefits interested in exploring broadband tariff options can find a full list on Ofcom’s website here.
Here are 10 to give you an idea of monthly costs, speeds available and eligibility. It’s important to note that each company has its own list of eligible benefits, but all include Universal Credit.
Other benefits may include Pension Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, and Care Leavers’ Support.
Social tariff broadband deals
BT Home Essentials
- Monthly cost: £15
- Average broadband speed: around 36mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits (in and out of work)
BT Home Essentials 2
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: around 67mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits (in and out of work)
EE Basic
- Monthly cost: £12
- Average broadband speed: up to 25Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits (in and out of work)
Lothian Broadband Social Tariff
- Monthly cost: £19.99
- Average broadband speed: 100 Mbps
- Eligibility: open to all
Sky Broadband Basics
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: Universal Credit or Pension Credit
NOW Broadband Basics
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: Universal Credit or Pension Credit
Virgin Media Essential Broadband
- Monthly cost: £12.50
- Average broadband speed: 15Mbps
- Eligibility: Universal Credit
Virgin Media Essential Broadband Plus
- Monthly cost: £20
- Average broadband speed: 54Mbps
- Eligibility: Universal Credit
Vodafone Essentials Broadband
- Monthly cost: £12
- Average broadband speed: 36Mbps
- Eligibility: various benefits (in and out of work)
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