A climate fund to be set up in the north-west of England could help homeowners looking to switch gas and electricity companies.
Dubbed Foundation, the fund will encourage local businesses to contribute to sustainability projects and will provide £1 million each year to help develop green schemes and cut down on fuel poverty.
Wind turbines and solar panels will be two of the broader projects that will benefit, while more homes will receive insulation in order to help them retain heat and greenhouse gases.
Joan Ruddock, minister for energy and climate change, said: "During the current economic difficulties it is important that we look after the most vulnerable in our society and I am particularly pleased to see a central theme of Foundation's work is helping households reduce their bills by introducing energy efficiency measures."
Foundation will be chaired by United Utilities and managed by Groundwork Northwest, while the Northwest Regional Development Agency will invest an initial £1.6 million in the fund.
The government recently announced plans to insulate every home in the UK over the coming years.
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