Millions of Brits risk missing out on job opportunities because they cannot afford to stay connected, according to new research from VOXI Mobile*.
- One in three (31%) people in financial hardship rely on their mobile phone to secure employment.
- More than a third (38%) say they have missed or nearly missed a job opportunity after running out of data or credit.
- One in five (19%) have avoided applying for jobs or opportunities altogether over concerns about running out of data or staying connected to Wi-Fi.
- More than five million Brits receiving government support could access lower-cost mobile social tariffs, but many remain unaware due to being disconnected.
- Previously only available online VOXI For Now, the £10 unlimited data social tariff, will now be distributed via local councils, housing teams, and prison resettlement programmes, helping make affordable connectivity more visible and accessible for eligible customers.
- VodafoneThree is committed to closing the digital divide through initiatives like everyone.connected, supporting vulnerable people and communities to get online.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 people in receipt of UK government support*, found that more than a third (38%) have missed or nearly missed a job or career opportunity after running out of data or phone credit. Meanwhile, one in five (19%) have avoided applying for jobs altogether due to concerns about running out of data or staying connected to WiFi.
Mobile access is increasingly critical to finding work. One in three (31%) rely on their phone as their main route to employment, using mobile data over the past 12 months to search for vacancies (26%), update or upload CVs (27%), communicate with employers or recruiters (21%), and submit applications (22%).
Beyond employment, nine in 10 (89%) people on lower incomes depend on their smartphone to manage everyday life, from staying connected with friends and family (46%) to managing finances (42%), as well as exploring new interests or hobbies (30%).
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Despite this reliance, awareness of affordable connectivity support remains low. Almost half (47%) of eligible customers are unaware that cheaper mobile social tariffs exist, meaning more than five million people receiving government support** could be missing out on lower-cost mobile connectivity.
More than two thirds (67%) say access to an unlimited data social tariff would help them stay connected. However, with most social tariffs only accessible online, this can create an additional barrier for those on the edge of digital exclusion.
To help tackle the issue, VOXI Mobile is launching a pilot to widen access to its social tariff, VOXI For Now. Originally unveiled in 2020, VOXI For Now offers unlimited data, calls and texts for £10 per month for eligible customers.
Previously only available online, the tariff will now be offered as a physical SIM through local councils and housing teams, support charities and prison resettlement programmes, bringing affordable connectivity into communities across the UK.
Vodafone’s charity partner, Good Things Foundation, will also distribute SIMs through a selection of its community hubs as part of a pilot.
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The move marks an important step in tackling digital exclusion, making it easier for those most in need to access affordable mobile connectivity at the moment it matters most – particularly for people who may struggle with digital-only sign-ups or are unaware that support exists.
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, VodafoneThree, said: “Social tariffs play a vital role in ensuring that everyone can access the opportunities that connectivity enables, but too many people either don’t know they exist or face barriers to accessing them.
“By making VOXI For Now available through trusted local partners as a physical SIM, we’re bringing affordable connectivity directly into communities – helping people get online quickly and simply when they need to.”
The research also found that over half (55%) of respondents receiving government support rely on mobile data as their main way of accessing the internet. One in four (26%) run out of data or credit before the end of the month, while more than a third (35%) actively ration their data usage to try and make it last.
Nearly three quarters (73%) say they feel stressed about running out of data or credit. Others report feeling anxious (28%), worried (28%) and isolated (11%), highlighting the emotional, not just financial, impact of staying online.
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Minister for Digital Economy Liz Lloyd, said: “Being connected is crucial for finding work, accessing essential services, and staying in touch with family and friends.
“That’s why efforts like VOXI’s expansion of its social tariff are so important. Making affordable connectivity easier to access helps break down barriers and ensure more people can get connected when it matters most.”
For many, reliable connectivity has become the difference between accessing or missing out on opportunities, with 65% saying it has helped them secure chances they might otherwise have missed.
However, many still worry about running out of data at critical moments – including losing connection during video interviews (27%), while waiting for responses from employers (20%), and when navigating travel to interview locations (20%) – revealing the impact these disruptions could have on securing future employment.
To manage the cost of staying connected, many are making everyday trade-offs. One in five (21%) have reduced social outings, while 19% have cut back on meals out. Others have reduced essential spending, including food shopping (18%), petrol and travel costs (11%), and other bills and monthly payments (11%), in order to stay online.
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Vodafone UK’s everyone.connected initiative has now helped four million people and businesses cross the digital divide. Though, none of that could have been possible without the organisation’s charity partners.
Gabi Woodhams, Head of Network Delivery, Good Things Foundation, said: “Access to affordable connectivity is essential for people to fully participate in modern life, from finding work to accessing vital services.
“Yet, too many people are still facing barriers to getting online, whether through cost, awareness, or confidence. Tackling digital exclusion is key to ensuring no one is left behind.”
VOXI For Now offers unlimited data, calls, and texts for £10 per month for six months for eligible customers***, with no contract, and the flexibility to pause or cancel at any time.
To find out more, visit the VOXI Mobile website or speak to your local partner hub, and stay up to date with the latest news from VodafoneThree by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
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* Research conducted by 3Gem between 22nd – 26th May 2026 among 2,000 UK adults from lower-income households and those receiving government support.
** Five million figure is based on findings that 54% were unaware that some mobile providers offer cheaper social tariffs for eligible customers. This equates to an estimated five million people when applied to wider UK government benefit claimant data published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
*** After 6 months, if you are no longer receiving eligible benefits the plan changes to £10/month with 20GB data. Customers keep Unlimited social media, calls & texts. Pause/cancel at any time in VOXI account.
To get VOXI For Now, you need to be receiving one of the following government benefits:
- Jobseeker’s allowance
- Universal Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Disability allowance
- Personal independence payment
- Pension Credit (‘Verification Evidence’)
About VOXI Mobile
VOXI Mobile is the Uswitch Mobile Network of the Year* that lets customers use unlimited data on selected social, music and video apps, without eating into their general data allowance. What’s more, every VOXI plan features unlimited calls, texts, and picture messages as well as superfast 5G at no extra cost – so customers can stream videos, game on the go or download a box set on mobile up to ten times faster than on 4G.
From streaming the latest, hotly debated series on Netflix to keeping up with current TikTok trends or listening to the latest podcast on Spotify, VOXI has it covered, giving customers the freedom to tweet, comment, stream or listen as much as they want, without eating up their data allowance.
VOXI plans have been designed with flexibility in mind. Flexible 30-day plans with no minimum term contract mean customers can change or cancel their plan whenever they like, putting them in control of their spending.
To find out more about VOXI Mobile SIM-only plans and the range of mobile handsets available, visit the VOXI website.
About Good Things Foundation
Good Things Foundation is the UK’s leading digital inclusion charity. We work to fix the digital divide at a hyperlocal level with our National Digital Inclusion Network – comprised of over 8,000 community partners providing a range of free digital inclusion support, such as:
- The National Databank, providing free mobile connectivity data.
- The National Device Bank, in partnership with Reconome, supplying free, refurbished devices to people in need.
- Learn My Way, our free flagship basic digital skills platform, widely used in libraries and supporting thousands to get online.
- and the AI Gateway, a new free, interactive learning platform designed to help demystify AI.
We work in partnership with organisations such as Virgin Media O2, VodafoneThree, Accenture, and Nominet to deliver at scale, and advocate for digital inclusion to fix the digital divide – for good.
Good Things Foundation believes everyone should have the confidence, skills, support and access to use digital technology, participate in society and benefit from the digital world.
For more information on Good Things Foundation visit www.goodthingsfoundation.org
