{"id":121760,"date":"2026-06-15T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T11:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/?p=121760"},"modified":"2026-06-15T11:02:41","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T10:02:41","slug":"one-simple-tariff-switch-could-reduce-bills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/uk\/one-simple-tariff-switch-could-reduce-bills\/","title":{"rendered":"One Simple Tariff Switch Could Reduce Your Bills, Yet Most Eligible Households Miss It"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Millions of people receiving benefits could reduce their household bills through social tariffs offered by water, broadband and phone providers. These discounted tariffs are designed for customers on lower incomes<\/strong> and are intended to provide the same service at a lower cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue has gained attention after evidence suggested that many people struggling with bills remain unaware of the help available. According to the BBC, a significant number of customers who have fallen behind on payments <\/strong>do not know that social tariffs exist or that they may be eligible to switch to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Tariffs Can Reduce Broadband, Phone and Water Bills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Social tariffs are available to many people who receive benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit. Unlike introductory offers or promotional discounts, these tariffs are permanent support<\/strong> measures aimed at customers who may otherwise struggle to afford essential services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the BBC, broadband and phone customers can check whether their provider offers a social tariff through a list maintained by communications regulator Ofcom<\/strong>. Eligible customers can move onto these tariffs free of charge, and providers do not charge customers for leaving their existing contract in order to switch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For water customers, support is available across England and Wales, although eligibility criteria and the level of assistance differ between companies<\/strong>. According to the Consumer Council for Water (CCW<\/a>), every water company in England and Wales operates a social tariff scheme for customers on low incomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The discounts can be substantial. Information published by CCW shows that some schemes cap annual bills <\/a>at fixed amounts, while others provide percentage reductions based on household circumstances. Thames Water\u2019s WaterHelp scheme, for example, offers discounts ranging from 25% to 99% for qualifying customers, while Southern Water\u2019s Essentials Tariff can reduce bills by between 45% and 90%, depending on income. <\/strong>Applicants are generally required to contact their supplier directly and provide evidence <\/strong>of their financial circumstances or benefits entitlement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The US and Iran signing a framework deal has pushed natural gas prices down. These wholesale prices are a key driver of UK gas and electricity bills. As the six-month graph shows, though, prices still have a long way to fall before returning to pre-conflict levels.

The good news\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/x9PowcW6x3<\/a><\/p>— Martin Lewis (@MartinSLewis) June 15, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>