As many as one million people cut off their broadband in the last year as the cost-of-living crisis left them unable to afford internet access, according to new research from Citizens Advice.

Citizens Advice conducted an online survey over 6,000 UK adults, with 1,215 respondents in receipt of Universal Credit. Further, fieldwork was conducted by Walnut Unlimited on behalf of Citizens Advice between 9 January and 8 February, some of the coldest days of the year.

The survey investigated the different ways Brits were cutting costs to survive the crisis, asking which services they cancelled or changed.

Based on the findings, Citizens Advice estimate that nearly a million Brits have had to forgo broadband as a result of strapped budgets.

People receiving Universal Credit were hit the hardest, according to the study. The research found them six times more likely to have stopped spending on broadband in the last 12 months amidst rising bills, compared to non-claimants.

The charity fears this problem could get worse. Where people claiming Universal Credit are still paying for broadband, they are more than four times more likely to be behind on broadband bills than those who aren’t.

Citizens Advice says these are ‘worrying signs’ as households are forces to cut broadband, which is increasingly essential for education, work, and day-to-day life.

People on Universal Credit are eligible for discounted social tariffs to help them stay connected, however uptake on these tariffs is currently just 5%.

The latest figures from Ofcom show 95% of the 4.3 million eligible households are missing out on saving £200 on broadband costs each year. That is £824 million of support going unclaimed.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “People are being priced out of internet access at a worrying rate. Social tariffs should be the industry’s safety net, but firms’ current approach to providing and promoting them clearly isn’t working. The people losing out as a result are the most likely to disconnect.

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“The internet is now an essential part of our lives – vital to managing bills, accessing benefits and staying in touch with loved ones.

“As providers continue to drag their feet in making social tariffs a success, it’s clear that Ofcom needs to hold firms’ feet to the fire.”