BT launches tariff to aid low income families
BT has launched a new social tariff for low income families - as new research has found nearly a third of adults in the West Midlands need financial help.
Exclusive to those on Universal Credit and a range of other means-tested benefits, the Home Essentials package offers fibre broadband and calls for £15 a month, saving customers £2,402 a year compared to an equivalent package.
It is available now for customers to buy online.
It comes after research from BT found that around one in three people in the West Midlands (32 per cent) feel more financially vulnerable compared to the start of the pandemic, while 76 per cent of all adults in the region say they would struggle to improve their financial situation or job prospects without a home connection.
The research also reveals that more than half of people in the West Midlands (58 per cent) feel generally more vulnerable compared to the start of the pandemic in at least one of the following areas - mental health, physical health, financial circumstances and employment prospects.
In response to the growing number of people who have found their life circumstances change over the past 18 months, BT is providing all of its 12,000 customer service colleagues with extra training to better identify those who require assistance and help keep them connected, as part of its Here For You campaign.
Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of adults in the West Midlands say unexpected life changes during the pandemic means they now need additional support.
However, the research also shows that 21 per cent are not comfortable sharing their problems with others, with nearly three in five respondents (58 per cent) citing embarrassment as the main barrier to open discussion.
This mindset could be impacting the support that some customers receive, as nearly half (44 per cent) of those surveyed unlikely to tell their mobile or broadband provider they may be struggling and need help managing their account.
However, more than a third (35 per cent) of adults did also say they would feel more comfortable asking for help from their supplier if they knew that specific support was in place.
Marc Allera, CEO of BT 's Consumer Division, said: “BT's purpose of Connecting for Good is at the heart of all we do, and a huge part of that is going above and beyond to support people who need it most.
“That's why we're launching BT Home Essentials, our low-cost fibre package that will now include all customers on Universal Credit, to provide a potential 4.6 million families across the UK with half-price fibre broadband and calls.
"BT Home Essentials will be available at half the price of our standard fibre package because fast, reliable connectivity to access vital online services - and keep in touch with loved ones - is more important than ever. It is a big step towards creating the connected, digitally inclusive UK we all want to see.
"We're also working hard to train all 12,000 of our contact centre colleagues so they can better support customers who might need a little more help. ”