Social tariff uptake at 5% as awareness remains low

Only 5.1 per cent of those eligible for social tariffs have switched to cost saving schemes (220k of a potential 4.3 million households), with 53 per cent of benefits claimants still unaware of their existence.

Take-up has quadrupled since January 2022 but Ofcom is urging the industry to raise awareness as 9 per cent of those had heard of social tariffs through their provider, compared to a quarter through social media and 21 per cent through television.

As cost-of-living pressures increase the need for these tariffs is crucial. As of January 2023, 29 per cent of households (8.1 million) reported an affordability issue when paying for their phone, broadband, pay-TV or streaming bills.

Ofcom’s research also shows six per cent of households with broadband and eight per cent with a mobile found it difficult to afford their service.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy said: “Broadband providers need to step up their efforts to promote their social tariffs to low-income consumers and ensure people aren't missing out unnecessarily. They must also make sure customers do not have to pay any Early Termination Charges to move to another firm’s social tariff.”