Heating bill discount only reaches 3pc of poorest families in Britain

Save the Children said that the Warms Homes Discount scheme, which provides a £120 rebate on fuel bills, has been taken up by only 25,000 families – even though 800,000 are eligible.

It blamed energy suppliers for not committing enough funds and called on the Government to find the remaining money.

Chief executive Justin Forsyth said: “It’s unacceptable that 97 per cent of the poorest families in the UK who need help heating their homes this winter will get nothing due to the fact that energy companies have not put up nearly enough money.

“Without this help the choice for parents is stark: cut back on food, get into debt or risk their children’s health because they can’t afford to keep them warm.”

He added: “The scheme urgently needs millions more from the energy companies, or the cost will be counted in children’s futures.”

National Energy Action, which campaigns against fuel poverty, said that the Government was to blame for not securing enough funding for the scheme.

Director of external affairs Maria Wardrobe said: “The Government set the parameters and levels of funding for the Warm Homes Discount and companies are committing what was asked of them.

“It is Government who need to act to increase the level of ambition of this and other schemes to address fuel poverty, including the forthcoming Energy Company Obligation which comes into play later this year.”