People looking for work can now apply for six months of free broadband to help them search for jobs.
A national programme has been launched by the telecoms company TalkTalk and the Department for Work and Pensions that aims to tackling digital exclusion and remove barriers to employment.
With the pandemic having made it harder for some people to access training and support, the new voucher scheme will give jobseekers across the UK free access to “high-quality” broadband.
Jobseekers are being offered a no-contract voucher for six months of TalkTalk’s Fibre 35 broadband, which normally costs £23 a month. Usage is uncapped, meaning there are no data limits aside from the usual “fair usage” rules. Users will get wifi connectivity via a home router, though they are unable to add optional extras such as TV services, and voice calls are not part of the package.
At the end of the six months, customers can choose to roll on to a contract with TalkTalk or cancel with no additional costs, provided all equipment is sent back via the prepaid returns service.
While DWP jobcentres have remained open during the pandemic, some assistance was moved online, making an internet connection even more important.
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