Thousands of Sky customers could slash their bill as it launches social broadband tariff

SKY has launched a cheaper broadband tariff for struggling households amid the cost of living crisis.

It’s the latest provider to offer special deals to those on low incomes and comes as bills rise for millions of people.

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The new £20 a month deal is called Sky Broadband Basics and will be for existing Sky customers who are getting Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

An estimated 4million households are estimated to be missing out on cheaper bills and savings of £144 a year on average via social tariffs for broadband.

TalkTalk, BT, Virgin Media and Hyperoptic are among the firms already offering these deals.

Sky’s new tariff will offer 36M/bs broadband for 18 months, and usually that costs £25 a month – so you could save £90 over that time.

If you need to cancel the contract at any time, you won’t be charged a fee for leaving.

At the end of the 18 months, you’ll return to the standard rate at the time, but you’ll be told how much this is ahead of time.

The same deal is available if you have Now TV, which is part of Sky.

Now Broadband Basics will be available to existing Now TV customers for £20 a month if you’re on Universal Credit or Pension Credit.

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Usually Now broadband costs £25 a month, so you could save £5 a month, or £60 over a year if you’re eligible.

Now TV’s broadband deal is pay monthly, and you’ll need to give at least 31 days notice if you want to leave, but there’s no termination fee.

For both tariffs you’ll need to show that you are in receipt of these benefits.

We’ve asked Sky how customers of Sky and Now TV can apply for the new tariffs and will update when we hear back.

Lindsey Fussell from communications regulator Ofcom, said: , said: “We’ve been calling on broadband firms to do more to support customers suffering financial hardship.

“So we’re pleased Sky has responded with a special discount for people on low incomes.

“We want to see all providers step up and offer these packages, and promote them more widely.”

It’s up to each broadband provider whether it offers a social tariff or not.

And each deal is different, so it still pays to shop around to make sure you’re getting the cheapest one.

For instance, TalkTalk is offering jobseekers free broadband for six months, and the social packages from BT and Virgin are £15 per month, though speeds and eligibility can vary.

Ofcom keeps a handy list of the broadband social tariffs on offer on its website.

Martin Lewis has urged everyone to do broadband and mobile bill checks – and you could save £200 a year.

How to save money on your broadband bill

Using a comparison site helps you check all the deals available in one place.

MSE has a broadband comparison tool and there’s also sites like Uswitch, Broadbandchoices and ComparetheMarket.

When comparing what’s on offer check it’s the right speeds for your needs.

Companies often do introductory offers for new customers too and that could lower the price even further.

You can also try haggling with your current provider to match the cheaper deal you have found elsewhere.

Martin Lewis has previously advised those haggling should be polite and charming to boost your chances of getting your bills lowered.

A Virgin Media customer recently got £264 a year knocked off their bill just by asking for a discount.

They don’t have to match it but it’s worth a try, and if they don’t you can always switch to the better deal.

But note that moving when you’re still in a contract can cost you money in exit fees, so check first.

Off course the exact amount you can save depends on how much you’re paying now and the new deal you get – but you won’t know until you check.

We spoke to a serial haggler who saves thousands of pounds a year – just by asking.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk