More than 830,000 of the poorest households will miss out on Labour's £100 energy payment because of council tax bands

Policy in Practice analysis found the £100 Household Energy Payment fails 838,000 households claiming Council Tax Support, because eligibility is tied to property band rather than income. Healey's £2.6bn scheme pays all council tax band A-to-D households in January, regardless of earnings, while those in bands E to H get nothing.

Eighty-four per cent of those missing out live with a disabled person, have children, or are below the poverty line.

Low-income families of five or more are 1.6 times more likely to live in a band E-to-H property, leaving over 130,000 larger struggling households excluded.

Reform deputy leader Richard Tice warned the £100 payment will not give British families enough relief even for those who do qualify.