Business to hot up for loft laggers

Business is set to boom for loft laggers and insulation experts, with the government to announce free loft and cavity insulation for about 4m people.

Prime minister Gordon Brown is to announce plans tomorrow to help about 11m people reduce energy bills by modernising their homes through insulation.

Utility companies will fund most of the modernisation work through a plan to increase their contributions to the carbon emissions reduction target programme.

About 4m elderly people and people on benefits will be eligible for free loft and cavity insulation, according to the Times.

Other households will be able to claim discounts on home improvements that increase energy efficiency.