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Low income families struggling during the pandemic are to be offered half price fibre broadband in a new BT deal

Low income families struggling during the coronavirus pandemic are being offered half price fibre broadband and calls in a new BT deal.

The telecom giant's low cost fibre package called Home Essentials is available to anyone on a range of means tested benefits including Universal Credit.

The cut price scheme has been praised by the Government as a welcome boost for poorer families to help the UK to 'build back fairer' from Covid-19 restrictions.

The package offers fibre broadband with speeds of 36 Mbps and 700 minutes of calls for just £15 a month, saving customers around £240 a year.

The BT Home Essentials price is less than half the cost of the standard BT Fibre Essential tariff of £27.99 a month for basic broadband, plus £7 for calls.

Alternatively, customers on BT Home Essentials can opt for average speeds of 67 Mbps and unlimited calls for £20 per month.

BT's low cost fibre package called Home Essentials is available to anyone on a range of means tested benefits including Universal Credit

BT's low cost fibre package called Home Essentials is available to anyone on a range of means tested benefits including Universal Credit

The firm hopes it will help ease the financial strain for a potential 4.6 million low income families who increasingly see home internet use as a vital lifeline.

A survey conducted by BT to launch Home Essentials found that 55% of respondents from low income homes viewed connectivity as 'more important than ever post pandemic'.

A total of 79 per cent of respondents in the online survey of 904 low income people described broadband as essential for managing their finances. 

The new BT Home Essentials tariff is available to those on Universal Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance as well as those receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.

Digital Infrastructure Minister Matt Warman welcomed the package, saying he hoped it would persuade other providers to slash prices for the needy.

Mr Warman said: 'In today's digital world, everyone should be able to access fast, reliable and affordable internet, so I'm thrilled that BT is the latest provider to launch new deals for low income households.

'We have been working with internet providers to offer affordable broadband tariffs for those struggling with bills to help the UK build back fairer from the pandemic. I hope to see others taking similar action soon.' 

A separate BT survey of 2,000 adults in the UK found that 74% feared they would struggle to improve their financial situation or job prospects without a home connection.

The research also revealed that almost three in five people (56%) felt more vulnerable compared to the start of the pandemic with 35% saying it had hit their mental health and the same number saying their physical health had been affected.

A total of 30% said their financial circumstances had worsened and 27% claimed their employment prospects had been hit

Just over one in five respondents – the equivalent of over 12 million people – said unexpected life changes during the pandemic meant they now needed additional support. 

Honey Langcaster-James, a social and behavioural psychologist, said: 'Clearly, the pandemic has led to millions of people feeling more vulnerable – perhaps as a result of losing a loved one, or more commonly the stress and anxiety of financial insecurity. 

'People often feel under pressure to try to struggle on by themselves without seeking help. This is usually because of worries about what others might think and a general misconception that people are weak if they ask for support.

'Connectivity has become so essential, it's important that service providers do more to acknowledge the specific needs of all their customers. The steps BT is taking are really important in order to encourage more people to ask for the support they really need.' 

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