Millions of Sky home phone customers will see their bills rise from this week as an inflation-linked increase comes into effect.
The cost of making a call with Sky Talk went up by 10% on May 1, although the amount you will now pay depends on your tariff and usage.
For example, Sky Pay As You Talk calls now cost 22p a minute, up from 20p.
International calls may be charged at different rates, depending on your tariff.
But if your plan includes free evenings and weekends, for example, you won’t be affected.
Line rental, voicemail and call waiting rates are all staying the same.
If you cannot afford it, speak to Sky as they may be able to offer you a more tailored tariff.
If you’re currently in a contract, you may face charges to leave your plan due to the increase.
Those on Universal Credit may be eligible for a social tariff instead, these are designed for vulnerable customers and are discounted by up to half price.
Ofcom has previously warned millions of these households could be missing out on a £144 a year.
Special discounted broadband packages – sometimes known as ‘social tariffs’ – are available to an estimated 4.2million households in receipt of Universal Credit.
But only 55,000 homes have taken advantage of these discounted rates so far – just 1.2% of those eligible.
That means more than 4.1million benefit recipients are missing out on an average annual broadband saving of £144 each.
Currently six broadband providers – BT, Community Fibre, G.Network, Hyperoptic, KCOM and Virgin Media O2 – offer at least one of these specially discounted deals. We’ve broken these down below.
Tariffs are priced at between £10 and £20 a month for broadband speeds ranging from 10Mbit/s to 67Mbit/s.
For example, a standard commercial broadband package costs an unemployed person claiming Universal Credit an average of £27 per month – or 8.3% of their monthly disposable income.
A £15 social tariff would almost halve their broadband costs and use up 4.6% of disposable income.
The latest Sky increase follows a £43 a year rise for TV and broadband customers last month.
Under the increase, the average TV and broadband customer will now pay an additional £3.60 a month.
Again, the amount your Sky bill will change by all depends on your plan and whether you are in a contract.
The cost of Sky's Signature TV package went up by £1 a month to £27. Its box office package rose from £11 to £12 a month and BT Sport rose by £1 to £28.
Broadband customers saw their bills rise by averages of £2.50, while Sky’s essential and superfast internet packages rose to £27.50 and £30.50 a month respectively.
A Sky spokesperson said: “We know price increases are never welcome so we aim to keep prices as low as possible while still delivering the content customers love, the flexibility to choose the right package, and our leading customer service.”
What social tariffs are available?
BT Home Essentials: £15 a month, 36Mbit/s, 700 minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
BT Home Essentials 2: £20 a month, 67Mbit/s, unlimited minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee Credit.
Community Fibre: £10 a month, 10Mbit/s, no minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and PIP recipients.
G.Network Essential Fibre Broadband: £15 a month, 50Mbit/s, no minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit, Income Support, Pension Credits, Employment Support Allowance and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 50: £15 a month, 50Mbit/s, no minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, PIP, Income Support, Pension Credits, Employment Support Allowance and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Hyperoptic Fair Fibre 150, £25 a month, 150Mbit/s, no minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, PIP, Income Support, Pension Credits, Employment Support Allowance and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
KCOM Full Fibre Flex: £19.99 a month, 30Mbit/s, includes 20 local calls and 60 mins to 0845/ 0870, with £10 cap each month.
Available to people on: Universal Credit zero earnings, Housing Benefit, PIP, Income Support, Pension Credits, Employment Support Allowance and Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Virgin Media Essential broadband: £15 a month, 15Mbit/s speeds, no minutes included.
Available to people on: Universal Credit only.
