Help with broadband tariffs

Broadband and mobile bills will soon be increasing by as much as 11.7% in April, and research has found around 11-14% of people won’t be able to afford the increase.

As I’m sure you know, access to the Internet has become even more essential for people during Covid-19, with more services including medical and council services being pushed online, as well as access to homework and study tools, online banking and access to cheaper energy tariffs.

Social tariffs enable people and families on low incomes who are in receipt of certain benefits to access fibre broadband and sometimes inclusive calls at a reduced price. They help people who can’t afford standard tariffs to stay connected and avoid digital exclusion.

These tariffs are specifically available to people in receipt of Universal Credit and Pension Credit, as well as some legacy benefits including Job Seeker's Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit.

Choose has written a full guide to the social broadband tariffs available in the UKipy, which we keep regularly updated, and we hope you’ll share this information to help anyone struggling with their bills this year to stay connected. You could do this by linking to our guide from your parish website, or by publishing our short news story attached in the parish council's news section.

The article web address is: https://www.choose.co.uk/broadband/guide/social-tariffs/