From October 2013, a range of benefits will begin to be merged into one monthly payment, administered by a central IT system. This has led to concerns that tenants without internet access may struggle to manage their claims as the government expects most claims to be made online.
Westminster Council, is in talks with a private company to provide free broadband to all its social housing tenants to counter the problem. The council estimates three in 10 of its tenants do not have online access. The council will pay for a fibre optic link into the council’s housing stock.
Tenants will be offered a box enabling free internet access through their televisions. They will be able to access government, email, shopping and banking websites and some freeview television channels. In return for funding the free service, the company will offer more complex packages tenants would pay for.