One in four vouchers for prepayment meters unredeemed in Britain

Nearly 2m energy support vouchers worth 125m in total either lost, delayed or unclaimed

Nearly a quarter of energy vouchers, designed to help the most vulnerable households with their gas and electricity bills, still have not been redeemed, according to the latest government figures.

Failure to receive the energy support payment could be the difference between having a warm home, keeping the lights on, eating a warm meal or not", according to the charity Citizens Advice.