Social Tariffs — July 2024

The Internet is widely regarded as a fundamental necessity in today’s digital age not only to access critical services, but also get the best deals on everything from insurance to your daily shopping. This means that everyone in the UK needs access to a basic level of Internet access. To ensure universal broadband, the government and the regulator Ofcom have urged the industry to offer a ‘basic’ broadband service at a subsidised/lower price. These are known as ‘social tariffs’.

These packages are only available to individuals who qualify and the various qualifications depend on the provider/package, however as a general guide, you need to be receiving one of the following five benefits: –

Earlier this year, we highlighted how these subsidised packages were often hidden on broadband provider sites, especially for the largest providers, whilst some small alt-nets were putting them front and centre on their site. This is regrettably still an issue in many cases, so if you know someone who is eligible, make them aware of it. We have based the list below from Ofcom’s list of social tariff providers, although we have removed some providers where their website doesn’t contain information on the tariff.

Social Tariff Packages (Fixed Line Broadband)

National Networks

Other Providers (including alt-nets):

Although the general election manifestos were light on mentions of broadband, Labour have previously expressed views around strengthening social tariffs, so we may see some changed here.

Some social tariffs have a 24-month contract whilst others seem to be 12 months. Many seem to suggest you can leave the social tariff early without penalty which would suggest it benefits you as a consumer as prices shouldn’t rise, however it is far from clear if this is the case from the terms of each provider so do check before ordering.