Staying at home racks up more data usage — here are some tips and freebies to drive down costs

WELL done to every parent who is still home schooling.

January is taking its toll, no?

Working and home schooling eat up more data with one study suggesting usage has crept up by 100%

With all that screen time, your data usage has crept up by 100% according to one study.

That means a higher phone bill for you.

From freebies to data-saving, here are a few ideas that could drive down the cost.

TAKE A BITE: For EE, BT Mobile and Plusnet customers, BBC Schools Bitesize content will not count towards your data allowance during lockdown.

ACADEMY AT HOME: O2, Three, Vodafone, EE, BT Mobile and Plusnet customers will be able to access educational content from Oak National Academy learning, data free.

LESSON TIME: Vodafone has helped out with 350,000 free 30GB Sims for families in need since November and has now gone one further.

Vodafone customers can get three months’ free access to Azoomee, an award-winning multimedia platform targeting primary school kids.

There are also adult learning opportunities.

Just head to its VeryMe loyalty scheme app to find out more.

ASK FOR HELP: Anyone who doesn’t have fixed broadband at home can visit http://Get-help-with-tech.education.gov.uk and see if their children can get a data increase as part of their existing mobile contract – multiple major network providers are part of this.

EXTRA, EXTRA: Virgin Mobile is giving vulnerable customers on pay-as-you-go mobile contracts 500 minutes, 500 text messages and 1GB of extra data at no extra cost every month.

Vulnerable customers on pay-monthly contracts can receive unlimited minutes and 10GB of additional data every month.

Both offers are available until the end of March.

DATA DEAL: Phone network Three has always offered a great deal on unlimited data, but it’s just got better.

It has cut the price of its 12-month, SIM-only contract to just £16 a month.

That’s unlimited calls and texts – but the best is inclusive unlimited data.

• Prices correct at time of going to press. Deals and offers subject to availability.

Deal of day

WHO doesn’t love a cheeky Angel Slice?

Grab a pack of eight Mr Kipling Angel Slices for the Clubcard price of just £1.15 at Tesco.

Usually £2.30.

SAVE: £1.15

Cheap treat

NAB a 47-wash bottle of Surf Tropical Lily Washing Liquid for £4.55 at Asda, usually £5.50.

SAVE: 95p