Billions of pounds are owed to water, broadband, and energy companies by customers – the majority of whom are unaware that support is available.
More than £7bn in bills and charges was owed by March last year, the UK’s spending watchdog said, but estimates suggest that total has grown since.
One pensioner told the BBC the credit on her energy meter often ran out three or four days before she received her pension, but she said her energy supplier had been helpful after she let them know she was struggling.
Most people did not know repayment plans and cheaper social tariffs were available to those in debt, the National Audit Office (NAO) said.
Only a third of eligible broadband customers and 39% of water customers who were struggling to…