Sky has become the first national connectivity provider to help their customers access cheaper broadband and mobile tariffs by signing up to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) social tariff scheme for benefit claimants.
This system makes it easier than ever for low-income families to sign up to discounted broadband which could save households as much as £180 a year compared to industry average tariffs. Introduced last summer, the UK Government scheme lets internet service providers - with claimants’ permission - ask the DWP to automatically verify their customers’ benefit entitlement.
This means people do not need to actively prove they claim benefits while on a tariff designed for those on low incomes, as they did previously, often as frequently as every month. There are numerous social tariffs on offer from Sky, BT and Virgin Media O2 for those receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits, with monthly broadband packages available from between £12.50 and £20.
Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies said: “It’s positive to see a major provider, such as Sky, sign up to our scheme, making it easier for families to access cheaper broadband and mobile tariffs in difficult times, and I call on other providers to follow suit in offering this type of tariff for those in need.
“Claimants who think they might be eligible for one of these tariffs, should contact their provider.
“This is just one of the ways we are working to help households during these tough times as part of the government’s £37 billion support package for those most in need.”
Stephen van Rooyen, Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Sky, UK and Europe, said: “We know how important connectivity is to our customers, which is why we are focused on ways we can support them to stay online.
“As well as support with bills, we also provide existing, eligible customers with a broadband and mobile social tariff, helping them stay connected for a significantly reduced cost.”
Sky and its subsidiary brand NOW join a growing list of providers signing up to the UK Government initiative to help millions access cut price broadband.
Before the new system was introduced, people were regularly required to verify their entitlement to providers with Jobcentre letters or screenshots of their Universal Credit account.
The availability of social tariffs has been strengthened recently thanks to a drive by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to encourage telecommunicators to expand their range of cheaper deals.
Broadband social tariff take-up more than doubled in 2022 to 136,000 households and the cross-government Help for Households programme, which aims to help people with the increased cost of living, recently launched a UK-wide public awareness campaign to drive awareness and uptake further.
Martin Lewis recently urged viewers of his Money Show Live TV programme that only three per cent of those who are eligible are actually taking advantage of the social tariff broadband offers.
The latest figures from Ofcom show that just 136,000 of the 4.2 million households on Universal Credit who are entitled to the discounted deals have taken them up.
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.
Top 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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