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British householders are missing out on free cheap energy advice for their utility bills because they do not realise they are entitled to help.
According to research commissioned by the Home Heat Helpline, some 5.2 million households in the UK could be receiving free insulation grants from energy suppliers and save £260 a year on their bills, but believe the assistance is not meant for them.
Researchers from the think tank NPI found almost half (47 per cent) echoed this sentiment, while two-thirds (64 per cent) eligible for assistance felt either they did not qualify or were not sure.
Helpline spokesperson Christine McGourty commented: "Free help is available to people struggling to keep warm this winter, but too many are failing to claim because they don't think the help on offer is meant for them.
"We need to break down those barriers so that more of us claim what we're entitled to," she explained.
An anti-benefits culture may play a part in people's unwillingness to accept help, but this perception must be changed so that more vulnerable households can benefit from warmer homes, Ms McGourty added.
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