Call for broadband ‘social tariff’
Those most in need should be given financial help to pay for fast broadband, a body representing councils in England and Wales says.
The Local Government Association (LGA) wants the government to include a social tariff in its broadband Universal Service Obligation (USO), ensuring low-income families get at least 10Mbps.
The LGA wants low-income households to have the option of receiving a subsidised service should they be unable to pay a market rate.
The body, which represents more than 370 councils, said government services are increasingly being transitioned online. Access to such digital services is “essential”, it said, adding that broadband access can reduce social isolation.
Councillor Mark Hawthorne, chairman of the LGA's People and Places Board, said: "Good digital connectivity is a vital element of everyday life for residents and can help them cut household bills, shop online for cheaper goods, stay in touch with distant relatives, access their bank accounts and even run their own businesses. As central and local government services become more digital, the USO will need to provide faster and more reliable speeds and, for our most vulnerable residents, a subsided connection at an affordable price.
"The quality of digital connectivity can be markedly different from area to area with some households being able to access superfast broadband speeds whilst others can only achieve substantially less. Councils want to see a social tariff enabling all people to be able to access a subsidised broadband service."
The LGA is also campaigning for the government to give everyone the legal right to request a broadband connection capable of delivering a minimum download speed of 10Mbps by 2020.
The calls form part of the LGA's submission to the government ahead of the Autumn Statement on 23 November.
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