LONDON: Shadow Housing Minister Grant Shapps explained how a Conservative government will provide up to £6500 in energy home improvements.

In a keynote speech to the Building Research Establishment in Watford, he said this would mean both lower power bills and lower carbon emissions.

The announcement is part of a programme to get 25 million homes 'greened up' to help save money for consumers and also meeting environmental commitments under the Climate Change Act.

Utility companies, high street retailers and charities will supply the re-fit of homes. They will then be able to get the money back from new lower customer bills spread over 25 years.