Thousands of Sky customers could save up to £180 a year on their broadband and phone bills thanks to a new scheme in partnership with the Government.

Sky has become the first major provider to join the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) social tariff initiative, which makes it easier for benefits claimants to get discounted broadband and mobile deals.

Introduced last summer, the government scheme lets internet service providers – with claimants’ permission – ask the DWP to automatically verify their customers’ benefit entitlement.

This means people do not need to actively prove they claim benefits whilst on a tariff designed for those on low incomes, as they did previously - often as frequently as every month.

Falmouth Packet:

Before the new system was introduced, people were regularly required to verify their entitlement to providers with Jobcentre letters or screenshots of their Universal Credit account.

Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression Mims Davies said: “It’s positive to see a major provider, such as Sky, sign up to our scheme, making it easier for families to access cheaper broadband and mobile tariffs in difficult times, and I call on other providers to follow suit in offering this type of tariff for those in need.

“Claimants who think they might be eligible for one of these tariffs, should contact their provider.

“This is just one of the ways we are working to help households during these tough times as part of the government’s £37 billion support package for those most in need.

“Do use the DWP benefits calculator, which is a helpful tool for those looking to see if they could access wider support.”

Broadband social tariff take-up more than doubled in 2022 to 136,000 households and the cross-government Help for Households programme, which aims to help people with the increased cost of living, recently launched a UK-wide public awareness campaign to drive awareness and uptake further.

Those in receipt of benefits interested in exploring broadband tariff options should visit Ofcom’s website to view the full list of options on offer from providers.

Stephen van Rooyen, Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, Sky, UK & Europe, said: “We know how important connectivity is to our customers, which is why we are focussed on ways we can support them to say online.

“As well as support with bills, we also provide existing, eligible customers with a broadband and mobile social tariff, helping them stay connected for a significantly reduced cost.

“The Department for Work and Pensions eligibility tool is a useful step forward, enabling us to more easily confirm eligibility.”