More than 8,100 households in Ceredigion on low incomes may be paying more than they should on their broadband bills, analysis has shown.

So-called ‘social tariffs’, which offer broadband access at a cheaper entry point for those on low incomes or with other special social needs, are only currently offered by some providers.

But changes to the Communications Act that came into effect at the back end of last year mean that the government has the power to make it mandatory for all providers across the industry to offer them.

The number of extra households that would save money from a social tariff would depend on how the eligibility criteria is set.

Research by the House of Commons Library finds that if households in receipt of any benefits were to be eligible, then over 8,100 homes in Ceredigion would see a reduction in their bills.

Six broadband providers, including BT and Virgin Media, offer cheaper tariffs to people receiving some benefits, but even take-up of those deals is low because companies are not doing enough to promote them, according to a report by communications watchdog Ofcom.

The Welsh Liberal Democrats are now calling on the UK Government to direct Ofcom to instate mandatory and universal broadband and mobile social tariffs for vulnerable consumers.

The party said that ministers failing to use powers in the Communications Act to make social tariffs mandatory, has caused “millions of households across the UK to pay over the odds.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat leader and Mid and West Wales MS, Jane Dodds said: “The most vulnerable in our society are bracing themselves for a cost of living crisis, with energy bills soaring through the roof, mortgage repayments set to sky-rocket and unfair Tory tax hikes leaving everyone feeling the squeeze.

“A reduction in broadband bills could be the breathing space families need this winter. “But this Conservative Government is instead choosing to sit on its hands and leave millions paying over the odds for broadband.

“Access to broadband is vital for learning, for work, and for staying connected.

“The Welsh Liberal Democrats think the very least the Government can do is offer the lifeline of social broadband tariffs to anyone who needs it.”

Ofcom’s report showed that BT, Community Fibre, Hyperoptic, KCOM, Virgin Media and VOXI all have low-cost tariffs for people on benefits.

A Department of Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson said: “Everyone deserves affordable broadband.

“We’ve successfully negotiated with BT, Virgin Media and others to offer low-cost broadband deals for anyone on Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits.

“Eligible households in 99 per cent of the UK can access these social tariffs.

“We are continuing to work with providers to bring even more affordable tariffs to the market.”