Digital minister Julia Lopez has called on the UK’s broadband and mobile operators to raise awareness of more affordable deals as energy prices soar and inflationary pressures continue.

BT, Virgin Media, O2, Sky, Vodafone, TalkTalk, Three Mobile, Hyperopic and Ofcom met with the government this week to discuss how to support customers during the cost-of-living crisis.

Lopez also urged telecoms businesses to “consider the impact price rises may have on struggling households”.

During the meeting Hyperoptic announced that it was dropping the price of its fastest speed social tariff from £25 to £20.

Social tariffs available for people in receipt of Universal Credit could save them up to £180 a year compared to the average tariff.

A recent Ofcom study found that only 31 per cent of eligible groups are aware that social tariffs are available, despite them being available in 99 per cent of the UK for those who are struggling financially.

“It is vital to find out what more we and the telecoms industry can do to support families worried about their bills,” said digital infrastructure minister, Julia Lopez. “Everyone should have access to affordable mobile and broadband services.”

Lopez continued: “Today we agreed that more has to be done to raise awareness of social tariffs and stressed the impact price increases have on people and families up and down the country.”

Earlier this month, Virgin Media O2 announced it was trialling 'databanks' which provide free mobile data, texts, and calls for struggling consumers in a number of O2 stores in the UK.

The company is also dishing out free O2 SIMs and data vouchers for all Big Issue vendors in the UK. The move is part of the company's wider commitment to tackle data poverty.

Share Story: