The energy price guarantee, which came into effect on October 1, 2022, is said to be saving a typical UK household £900 by reducing the unit cost of electricity and gas, while the Energy Bills Support Scheme provides a further £400 off electricity bills through a monthly discount of £66 or £67.

This means the average family is saving £1,300 altogether while more vulnerable households have received £800 on top of that through the cost of living payments – making a £2,100 saving.

Wider and more localised support is also available via the Household Support Fund. Now in its third phase, the fund has been extended to March 2023 to help vulnerable Britons with surging living costs.

Each local council is allocated a portion of the Household Support Fund, and people can find out if and what their local councils are offering by visiting the respective local websites. Each council will have its own eligibility criteria.