"BT to offer under half-price fibre broadband to people on benefits"

From June, 36 Mbps service will cost £15 a month to those on UK benefits such as universal credit



BT is to offer fibre broadband at less than half price to people receiving universal credit and other state support in the UK, with more than 4 million households able to apply for the package.

People eligible for the BT Home Essentials package from June will pay £15 a month for speeds of about 36 megabits per second (Mbps) while the company’s equivalent offering for those not on universal credit costs £32.99 a month.

The average fibre deal in the UK costs about £25 a month, according to comparison website Uswitch.

The social tariff is only for those receiving universal credit, the guarantee credit element of pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance, income support, and employment and support allowance.

It comes as research by the telecommunications firm found that nearly a third of Britons feel more financially vulnerable since the start of the pandemic and a quarter of those worry about being cut off if they cannot pay their bills.

Virgin Media also offers existing customers who are on universal credit speeds of about 15 Mbps for £15 a month.

James Wittams-Smith, commercial director at comparison website Usave, told the BBC: “BT’s Home Essentials is entering the market as one of the cheapest packages currently available, and certainly very good value for basic fibre.

“It’s great to see companies starting to consider ethics ahead of profits, especially in today’s climate.

“Hopefully, we’ll start to see more organisations following suit.”

The social tariff is only for those receiving universal credit, the guarantee credit element of pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance, income support, and employment and support allowance.

That's wrong! It's only for those on means-tested benefits who in many cases are actually better-off than those who aren't. Those on contribution-based benefits including ESA and the basic state pension don't qualify.