The report finds that special discounted broadband packages, sometimes known as “social tariffs”, are available to an estimated 4.2 million households in receipt of Universal Credit.

However, only 55,000 homes have taken advantage of these discounted rates so far, which is just 1.2% of those eligible, meaning that millions of benefits recipients are missing out on an average annual broadband saving of £144 each.

Currently six broadband providers, BT, Community Fibre, G.Network, Hyperoptic, KCOM and Virgin Media 02, offer at least one of these specially discounted deals. These packages are priced at between £10 to £20 a month for broadband speeds ranging from 10Mbit/s to 67Mbit/s.

Ofcom is calling on all other broadband firms to support struggling households by introducing their own social tariffs. It also wants to see all companies promote these deals more widely, and make sure it’s swift and simple for customers to sign up. To access the report, click here.