A new report from “Policy in Practice” estimates that close to £23 billion in social security payments and cheaper deals are going unclaimed across the UK by around 8 million people.

Last year the Citizens Advice network in Scotland unlocked £142 million for people, with the average gain for those who saw a gain being £3,700.

Commenting on the report, Citizens Advice Scotland social justice spokesperson Emma Jackson, said: “During the worst cost of living crisis in memory, millions of people across the UK are missing out on billions of pounds that they are entitled to.

“In Scotland that figure could run to hundreds of thousands of people who could be missing out. That’s unacceptable when 1 in 4 children in Scotland is growing up in poverty.

“The Citizens Advice network already delivers life-changing results for people through our income maximisation advice, unlocking £142m for people last year. That money has kept the lights on and put food on the table.

“We hope this report encourages people to seek what support the are entitled to, and they can check www.moneymap.scot to see their options.

“It should encourage policymakers to see huge economic and social impact of properly funding advice services like CABs to empower people to exercise their rights to the payments they are entitled to in the first place.”