UK government offers cheaper broadband for struggling families

The UK government is introducing discounted broadband and mobile deals for individuals on benefits, aiming to ease financial pressure. The Department for Work and Pensions launched a service, enabling providers to verify eligibility without monthly proof requirements, covering 99% of the country. This initiative is part of the Help for Households campaign, collaborating with businesses to assist struggling families amidst challenging times. David Buttress, the Government’s Cost of Living Business Tsar, highlights this effort as a means of support alongside the substantial existing aid package.

The UK government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) announced a new service that allows internet service providers to verify – with customers’ permission – whether they are in receipt of a relevant benefit and therefore eligible for extra financial support. To this aim, 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. The new service will further simplify the process by removing the need for customers to prove their entitlement to broadband providers as regularly as every month. Social tariffs are available to eligible customers in 99% of the country following Government-led negotiations with broadband companies. ‘Times are tough and families across the country are feeling the pinch, so we’re making it easier for companies to reduce phone and broadband bills for struggling families. This is just one of the ways that we’re working with businesses to offer help through our Help for Households campaign, building on the comprehensive £37 billion package of support already being provided by Government’ said Government’s new Cost of Living Business Tsar David Buttress.