Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert explains how anyone on Universal Credit can slash essential bill by up to £230

MARTIN Lewis' MoneySavingExpert has explained how anyone on Universal Credit can slash their broadband bill by up to £230.

Around 4.2million households can get cheaper deals on this essential bill by signing up for a social tariff.

You can get these lower priced special tariffs if you claim benefits including Universal Credit.

But MoneySavingExpert warned millions of eligible households are missing out on the savings in its

The average saving you can make by signing up to a social tariff is £230.

But only 136,000 out of 4.2million eligible households are signed up for these deals, according to new figures from Ofcom.

It comes as one provider has made its special tariff even cheaper to help hard-up customers through the cost of living crisis.

Virgin Media has slashed the price of its Essential Broadband package for those on Universal Credit to £12.50 a month from £15.

The package has speeds of 15 Megabits per second (Mbps), and all new and existing customers are eligible for the new lower price.

The same customers will have access to a new package, Essential Broadband Plus, offering higher broadband speeds of 50Mbps for £20 a month.

Both plans have no fixed-term contract or activation fee.

What other social broadband tariffs are on offer?

Social broadband tariffs are available to people on certain benefits, including Universal Credit - they can cut bills by hundreds of pounds a year.

But you'll have to get in touch with your provider to go onto one. If your provider doesn't offer one you can switch companies.

In August, Sun Money called on the government, regulator Ofcom and suppliers to do more to support struggling customers.