BT Essentials Plan renewal increase to £18

Cerealcomplainer

I have been on the BT Essentials Plan for two years, I have just received an email to say that my price will increase from £15 a month to £18.it says I will be moved onto the equivalent latest home essentials package. I knew packages were increasing but believed it would only be by a pound, I have done some research and the only thing I can see that they may have a loophole providing the £1 increase to new customers, £3 is a lot for me as a single parent, before I get any hate, I work full time just on minimum wage!.It just doesn’t seem right that it is such a significant increase on what is a goverment supported scheme, for low incomes / lone parents to be able to have access to wi - fi. Before this package I just went without wi fi for years in the home so it has been a help. Has anyone had any similar issues with this and could help before I ring BT? Any advice would be appreciated.

Muttleythefrog

There is an extensive thread on this issue as yes many of us have faced the same rise... let me link it. 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6617990/bt-home-essentials-unlimited-broadband-check-your-renewal

Cerealcomplainer

Thankyou for the link, I did see this before I posted but noted that there wasn’t an explanation as such, just that the person had ended up being moved onto a different plan and that they mucked it up. I suppose what I want to know, is this right that they can up it by £3 a month and if anyone had rightly challenged them.Thankyou though for answering and for the help 😊

rangout

Cerealcomplainer said:

Thankyou for the link, I did see this before I posted but noted that there wasn’t an explanation as such, just that the person had ended up being moved onto a different plan and that they mucked it up. I suppose what I want to know, is this right that they can up it by £3 a month and if anyone had rightly challenged them.Thankyou though for answering and for the help 😊

You sound like you should be on the BT Home Essentials No Income plan - £16 per month

There is no Home Essentials package at £18. It seems they've added the standard rise to Home Essential packages when they shouldn't have

Check the links from that thread Muttley posted for pricing

Cerealcomplainer

Thankyou so much for your advice rangout, yes this is what I thought it should be ,if there is an increase it would be by a pound to £16, but because I am an existing customer that they might be saying £16 to new contracts, old ones BT are trying to move over to an alternative plan and charge £18. I think I will ring them to challenge this as it does seem quite a high increase for a supported plan!

Muttleythefrog

rangout said:

Cerealcomplainer said:

Thankyou for the link, I did see this before I posted but noted that there wasn’t an explanation as such, just that the person had ended up being moved onto a different plan and that they mucked it up. I suppose what I want to know, is this right that they can up it by £3 a month and if anyone had rightly challenged them.Thankyou though for answering and for the help 😊

You sound like you should be on the BT Home Essentials No Income plan - £16 per month

There is no Home Essentials package at £18. It seems they've added the standard rise to Home Essential packages when they shouldn't have

Check the links from that thread Muttley posted for pricing

I think they'll be ineligible for no income plan as currently working.

To be fair to BT generally.. they're still about the best on the market and they haven't increased the social tariffs for years. I might change my mind if they do it again next year!!

Newcad

Cerealcomplainer said:

I think I will ring them to challenge this as it does seem quite a high increase for a supported plan!

Note that when you do ring them they will (politely) try to put you onto the 'Home Essentials Fibre' at £21, or 'Home Essentials Fibre2' at £24.

Unless you are working, (or have other income that affects your benefits), insist that you qualify for and want the' Home Essentials No Income' at £16 and they will (politely) put you on that.

Cerealcomplainer

I do work but I am in receipt of universal credit so when I signed up the plan was for “home essential fibre essential “ package and has been charged at £15. I totally understand £18 is comparatively less than what I would be paying normally but it just seems quite an increase for what is a goverment supported scheme to allow access to the internet to people that are on benefits or low income. £3 does not sound a lot but on top of every bill increasing dramatically over the last two years since I moved into this property, I am considering if it is an “essential”?.

Newcad

If you do work, and have an income from that work, then obviously you will not be eligible for the 'No Income' version of Home Essentials.

In which case (assuming your are not on an ADSL only landline) your cheapest available plan would be the 'Home Essentials Fibre Essential' at £21. Which is still cheap compared to the cost of regular broadband plans.

That being the case then you may want to accept the £18 that they are currently offering you?

Here is the list of the currently available plans:

Cerealcomplainer

Yes but can you see at the top of your list you have posted under the different categories it states the difference between home essentials at £15 (which I am on)and home essentials no income at £16. It seems the only difference is that mine isn’t fibre broadband like the others. I am happy not to have fibre as I have no problems with my wi fi.

Newcad

Cerealcomplainer said:

 I am happy not to have fibre as I have no problems with my wi fifi

That is not a choice that you can make.

Either the landline supply to your area is Fibre, (fibre to the cabinet, FTTC, or fibre to the property, FTTP often called 'Full Fibre'), or if it hadn't been updated yet it is ADSL (copper wires to the cabinet).