London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Sunday, Aug 24, 2025

Can you get cheaper broadband deals with social tariffs?

Can you get cheaper broadband deals with social tariffs?

Up to one million people have cancelled their broadband in the past year because of the high cost of living, a survey by Citizens Advice suggests.

But, at the same time, according to the regulator, Ofcom, 4.3 million eligible people are missing out on cheaper broadband deals.

Here are some things to consider if you're wondering whether you could pay less to get online.


What if I can't afford to pay my broadband bill?


First, tell your supplier.

According to the government, people struggling to pay their bills can access support to stay connected - such as through payment plans or by being allowed to switch to a cheaper internet package without paying a penalty fee.

This might mean dropping down to a package with a slower internet speed, though this could present challenges for people in larger households.

People near the end of your contract may benefit by switching to a different supplier altogether - or may be able to negotiate down the price of their current package.

But other support is available for people struggling with their bills.


Am I eligible for a social tariff?


Ofcom has helped bring so-called social broadband and mobile tariffs, which aim to support people on universal credit and other means-tested benefits, to the market.

You are eligible for a social tariff if you receive any of the following benefits:

*  universal credit

*  pension credit

*  income support

*  income-based jobseeker's allowance

*  income-related employment support allowance

Ofcom's website also states a social tariff can be accessed as long as one person in your household claims universal credit.


I'm eligible, what next?


The social tariffs can be found on Ofcom's website.

Prices range between £10 and £20 per month, depending on the package and offering a variety of different internet speeds.

For example, Virgin Media offers:

*  a 15Mbps package for £12.50 per month

*  a 54Mbps package at £20 per month

There also other benefits to a social tariff beyond the relatively low monthly fee. There are no charges for getting a package, no fee to leave before the contract expires, and the price won't increase midway through.

However, which package you can access will depend on where you live, as not all properties can receive every broadband service. Those in rural areas in particular will have limited options.


Do I need 200Mbps or just 20?


Before choosing a supplier you should consider exactly what internet speed suits your particular needs.

That comes down to:

*  what you're using the internet for

*  how many people live in your home

BBC iPlayer and Netflix both recommend a 5Mbps connection to stream a programme in high quality, so you might think a 10Mbps connection is enough.

But the moment two people in a household are both streaming video, that would put the connection at capacity - and that's assuming you aren't using your phone while streaming video.

You should also keep in mind the speeds quoted are average speeds. A 100Mbps connection may sound like a lot - but you may not get that speed all of the time.


I can't access a social tariff - are there still cheap deals?


If you're not eligible for a social tariff, your best bet would be to use a comparison website to see what deals are available in your area.

At the time of writing, for example, there are 67Mbps broadband packages available for about £25 per month from some suppliers.

But you should be aware the advertised costs change as companies increase their prices every spring - with the highest price hike coming in at 17.3% this April.

This means a person paying £25 per month in March 2023 may have seen their bill increase to more than £29, with another potential price hike coming in 2024.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
Trump Called Viktor Orbán: "Why Are You Using the Veto"
Horror in the Skies: Plane Engine Exploded, Passengers Sent Farewell Messages
MSNBC Rebrands as MS NOW Amid Comcast’s Cable Spin-Off
AI in Policing: Draft One Helps Speed Up Reports but Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns
Shame in Norway: Crown Princess’s Son Accused of Four Rapes
Apple Begins Simultaneous iPhone 17 Production in India and China
A Robot to Give Birth: The Chinese Announcement That Shakes the World
Finnish MP Dies by Suicide in Parliament Building
Outrage in the Tennis World After Jannik Sinner’s Withdrawal Storm
William and Kate Are Moving House – and the New Neighbors Were Evicted
Class Action Lawsuit Against Volkswagen: Steering Wheel Switches Cause Accidents
×