BT has introduced a new social tariff to help eligible benefit claimants access reliable broadband at a lower cost. The plan, called BT Home Essentials, offers fibre connectivity for £15 per month — roughly half the price of BT’s standard fibre package — helping low-income households reduce their monthly bills.
Over a year, customers on the new tariff would save about £240 compared with BT’s existing Fibre Essential plan. BT Home Essentials delivers an average download speed of 36 Mbps and includes 700 minutes of calls, providing a balanced offering for everyday browsing, video calls and basic streaming.
Marc Allera, CEO of BT’s Consumer division, said the company wants to expand access to fast, dependable internet:
“Fast, reliable connectivity has never been as important as it is today, with millions of people relying upon our networks to get back on their feet after the pandemic. We want to help as many people as we can, which is why at the end of June we’ll be launching BT Home Essentials, increasing the eligibility of our social tariff to include all customers on Universal Credit. BT Home Essentials will be available at half the price of our standard fibre package, helping a potential four million households on low income save on bills and stay connected to vital online services.”
Eligibility extends beyond Universal Credit to include other means-tested benefits such as the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, and Employment and Support Allowance. This wider eligibility aims to reach households most in need of affordable connectivity.
Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman welcomed the move and highlighted the importance of affordable broadband:
“In today’s digital world, everyone should be able to access fast, reliable and affordable internet, so I’m thrilled that BT is the latest provider to launch new deals for low-income households. We have been working with internet providers to offer affordable broadband tariffs for those struggling with bills to help the UK build back fairer from the pandemic. I hope to see others taking similar action soon.”
BT’s recent research underlines the role broadband plays in financial resilience: 74% of people surveyed said it would be difficult to improve their financial situation without internet access, and 79% of those who are financially vulnerable rely on broadband to manage household finances. The study also found that many people prioritize broadband access highly — 67% said they could not go without broadband, compared with 20% who said the same about public transport.
BT Home Essentials is scheduled to launch in June, offering eligible households a lower-cost option for home broadband and essential call minutes.
(Image Credit: BT)