The Energy Bills Support Scheme, which provided a monthly discount of £67 from October to March, will now be means-tested.

KPMG’s Consumer Pulse survey found that 50% of consumers would reduce non-essential spending and 33% would use savings to cover energy costs without support payments.

So far in 2023, 46% of Scots have reduced non-essential spending, citing utilities costs as a barrier to spending more.

Linda Ellett, UK head of consumer Markets, Retail and Leisure for KPMG, said: “With energy, mobile, and broadband costs set to rise for many households from April, a number of consumers will likely have to further cut back their discretionary spending.

“Already in 2023, over half of the consumers that we spoke with have reduced their non-essential spend.

“Buying behaviour also continues to change as shoppers look to lower costs – including switching to discounters, buying more own brand and value produce, and searching out promotional prices.”

A third of respondents reported using savings for essential costs, with an average savings amount of £7,253.

Among savers, 43% have not made major purchases this year, and 35% do not plan to do so. Financial security feelings in 2023 are relatively balanced, with 28% feeling more secure, 28% feeling less secure, and 43% feeling unchanged since the year began.