Virgin Media O2 has introduced a new £10-a-month 10GB mobile plan to help people on low incomes. The 30-day rolling contract, called the O2 Essential Plan, is available to new and existing customers who receive Income-based Employment Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit. EU roaming is included at no extra

Virgin Media O2 is designating 1,600 stores as National Digital Inclusion Hubs which will offer 25GB of free O2 data to low-income households.

Working with Big Issue Group is part of Virgin Media O2’s wider commitment to tackle data poverty, along with partnering with Good Things Foundation to create the National Databank

Brits say that a lack of digital skills have prevented them from scheduling medical appointments, earning pay raises, getting high-paying jobs, or finding deals to save money

The Reconnected programme will provide connectivity to the 1.9 million UK households without internet access

Less than four per cent of current data traffic across the network is delivered through 3G compared to over 30pc in 2016.

The scheme works like a ‘food bank for data’