Over one million energy vouchers unclaimed in December

It has been revealed that more than one million households with pre-payment meters didn’t redeem their monthly energy voucher in December.

The government previously announced that the Energy Support Scheme would provide £400 to every household in Britain to help with rising energy costs. Whilst those that pay their energy bills by direct debt automatically receive a monthly credit into their energy account, those with pre-payment meters are sent vouchers, which they then need to redeem at either the Post Office or a Paypoint network store.

Whilst recent postal strikes may have delayed some voucher deliveries, there is mounting criticism of the pre-payment voucher system and how some of the most vulnerable energy consumers with pre-payment meters face additional steps to access their support.

A government spokesperson said: “The UK government has stringent compliance and enforcement measures in place with all suppliers for the Energy Bills Support Scheme, and we require them to report to us on a monthly basis on their delivery.”

Anyone with a pre-payment meter that hasn’t yet received their voucher should contact their energy supplier and make sure their address details are up to date.