The proposal is essentially a cash payment to fuel poor households, varied by their household income. Unlike current mitigation measures, this would be permanent. The call, which is also backed by consumer expert Martin Lewis and by Energy Action UK, is for the new tariff to be introduced in 2024.

CAS social justice spokesperson, David Hilferty, said: “We’re happy to endorse this call by our Citizens Advice partners in England and Wales. The energy bill crisis is not going to go away anytime soon and too many households are struggling to afford their bills. Even with measures like the Energy Price Guarantee, many people still need additional help.

“In recent months, demand for energy advice across the Citizens Advice network in Scotland has overtaken advice for Universal Credit and other benefits – that underlines the scale and depth of the energy crisis.

“We know that the soaring cost of living bites harder for households on lower incomes who spend a higher proportion of their income on essentials such as energy and food.

“A social tariff would protect people who are currently faced with impossible decisions about how to spend limited resources and provide assurances over affordability in the longer term.

“If you are struggling, the citizens advice network is here for everyone and our advisers get real results. One in six people who sought advice from a CAB last year saw some sort of financial gain, the average value of which was over £4,200. That could be life changing money at a time when people need it most.”