The organisation has found that 13 per cent of people in the area have been unable to receive their post at some point over the last decade.

In addition, 10 per cent of people in the south have been unable to apply for services like healthcare, welfare, banking, and even jobs, because they lack an address to put on applications.

Research conducted by the national Citizens Advice charity found that these issues disproportionately affect people in unsafe and precarious living situations. This includes those who sleep rough or live in temporary accommodation, or those who have their post intercepted by an abuser.

With 4.5 million adults across the country predicted to be digitally excluded by 2030, the charity warns digital methods shouldn’t be solely relied upon to communicate vital information.

Rovarn Wickremasinghe, chief officer, Citizens Advice Bridport, said, “At Citizens Advice Dorset we’re seeing lots of people coming to us for help with redundancy, housing and welfare problems during the pandemic. This new research shows that lacking a fixed address or a place to receive mail can not only worsen these issues, but also hold people back from overcoming their challenges.”