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Broadband: Social Tariffs

Asked by Gordon McKeeLabourDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 16 July 2026UIN 18281

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps her Department is taking with the Department for Work and Pensions and Ofcom to identify people eligible for broadband social tariffs and notify them automatically of that eligibility.

Answered by Kanishka Narayan

There are currently around 36 social tariffs with at least one of these being available across 99% of the UK. Government's approach has been to work with industry and Ofcom to improve awareness, simplify access, and support switching to cheaper deals and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology continues to work with Ofcom to monitor take-up of social tariffs.

The Government has taken steps to increase uptake among eligible households. In February 2026, Government secured commitments from major telecoms providers through the Telecoms Consumer Charter, which requires providers to proactively signpost social tariffs to eligible customers and make them easier to find.

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