A deal between the government and energy companies to reduce household bills is close to being finalised.
A deal between the government and energy companies to reduce household bills is close to being finalised.
The measures are expected to provide the poorest customers with better home insulation and help in finding the best gas and electricity tariffs.
The measures are expected to provide the poorest customers with better home insulation and help in finding the best gas and electricity tariffs.
Union leaders have called on the prime minister to impose a windfall tax on energy companies' profits.
Union leaders have called on the prime minister to impose a windfall tax on energy companies' profits.
But ministers say making homes more efficient is a better long-term solution to cutting bills.
But ministers say making homes more efficient is a better long-term solution to cutting bills.
The package of measures is expected to include better insulation of all homes over the next 10 years and targeted help for the poorest to ensure they can access the best fuel deals on offer.
The package of measures is expected to include better insulation of all homes over the next 10 years and targeted help for the poorest to ensure they can access the best fuel deals on offer.
It is understood that the energy companies will also make increased contributions to the government's carbon emissions reduction targets scheme.
It is understood that the energy companies will also make increased contributions to the government's carbon emissions reduction targets scheme.
Warmer reception
Warmer reception
BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn said the deal has taken weeks, if not months, to put together, but may not satisfy union leaders who want government money to go directly to cutting bills.
BBC political correspondent Jo Coburn said the deal has taken weeks, if not months, to put together, but may not satisfy union leaders who want government money to go directly to cutting bills.
She added that Prime Minister Gordon Brown hoped the deal would be enough to generate a warmer reception from delegates at the Labour Party's annual conference in two weeks' time.
She added that Prime Minister Gordon Brown hoped the deal would be enough to generate a warmer reception from delegates at the Labour Party's annual conference in two weeks' time.
On Tuesday, the TUC's annual conference in Brighton backed a motion criticising energy companies and urging the government to impose a windfall tax.
On Tuesday, the TUC's annual conference in Brighton backed a motion criticising energy companies and urging the government to impose a windfall tax.
It criticised the "big six" energy firms for making £1.6bn last year and raising prices by 42% this year.
It criticised the "big six" energy firms for making £1.6bn last year and raising prices by 42% this year.
A report published on Monday suggested almost a quarter of the population will be pushed into fuel poverty by the end of next year.
A report published on Monday suggested almost a quarter of the population will be pushed into fuel poverty by the end of next year.
The National Housing Federation said by the end of 2009, 5.7 million UK households will be spending at least 10% of their income on energy bills.
The National Housing Federation said by the end of 2009, 5.7 million UK households will be spending at least 10% of their income on energy bills.
Average household electricity bills are expected to increase to more than £500 per year by 2010, and gas bills to around £900.
Average household electricity bills are expected to increase to more than £500 per year by 2010, and gas bills to around £900.
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