Liverpool homes are to be made more energy efficient with fuel bills being cut in a new initiative.

According to the Liverpool Express, under the Government's Energy Company Obligation (ECO), energy suppliers are legally obliged to deliver energy efficiency measures to domestic energy users. Although the Government is consulting on changes to the present scheme it will still provide energy efficiency measures to low-income households.

The city council has carried out an exercise to appoint companies approved to carry out this energy efficiency work in the city's homes. A framework of companies who will have the opportunity to bid for work to install energy saving measures in various sized schemes throughout the city is now being finalised so work can start as soon as possible.

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The preferred bidders who have been chosen, subject to final contract, are British Gas, E.ON, ScottishPower and Keepmoat.

Councillor Tim Moore, the cabinet member for transport and climate change, said: "Using the available ECO funding is a way in which we can improve the energy efficiency of homes in the city and also tackle fuel poverty. I am very disappointed that the government appears to be scaling back this initiative but we are still going ahead with our programme as it will cut the fuel bills of those most in need.

"It will lead to houses having improvements such as solid wall insulation, loft insulation, glazing and improved boilers. Better still, residents may qualify for a direct grant rather than a loan which some other schemes may promote. We will use this obligation placed on energy companies to improve homes for residents, and help us become a greener low carbon city.

"By having a framework in which companies compete for work we can ensure we get the best possible deal for the city and its residents especially the most vulnerable.

"We will also be promoting local employment, contractors and suppliers and we will be insisting on the highest level of work with standards for customer care backed by trading standards."

(CD/JP)