The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, and British Gas have joined forces to deliver a major part of the Mayor's Climate Change Action Plan with an offer to Londoners for cut price insulation for their homes. The scheme will help tackle climate change as well as saving Londoners money.

Last month (27 February 2007) London's Climate Change Action Plan was launched with tough targets to cut London's CO2 emissions. A key part of that plan was a Green Homes Programme, of which today's home insulation scheme is the first offer.

London's homes are responsible for 38 per cent of London's emissions and so tackling climate change needs to start at home. In many cases this can be simple and effective. London's Green Homes Programme is being launched today with substantial savings for household insulation, with cut-price cavity wall insulation from £250 and loft insulation from £274. The Mayor and British Gas will give each household that signs up for the offer £100 cash back when the work has been completed (4). Interest free credit will be available and for most households the energy savings will mean that the measures pay for themselves within a year (1).

The offer is available to every household across London that is suitable for the scheme. It is free to those that are on benefits (1) and is part of the Mayor's commitment to tackle fuel poverty in London. To take up the Mayor's insulation offer, Londoners need simply to contact the helpline on 0845 070 5059 or for further information go to www.london.gov.uk.

The scheme will be backed by a major public information campaign to ensure that as many Londoners as possible are able to take up this offer. The offer is available until the 1st June 2007.

Mayor of London Ken Livingstone said: 'This is a fantastic opportunity for Londoners to cut their energy bills and reduce harmful emissions that cause climate change. We don't have to reduce our quality of life to tackle climate change, but we do need to change the way we live and most of us can start by making our homes much more energy efficient. I urge all Londoners who have cavity walls or lofts that can be insulated to take up this offer. Those who do will see their energy bills cut and will be helping to minimise London's contribution to climate change. I am delighted that British Gas has joined with us as a partner in delivering this in London.' Andrew Reaney, Head of Residential Energy for London at British Gas said: As London's greenest leading energy supplier, we are committed to using our expertise to help every Londoner save money, energy and the environment. As part of this commitment, we have already helped save around £16 million on energy bills across the capital through greater energy efficiency and we look forward to benefiting many more homes through our cut price home insulation offer in partnership with the Mayor of London.' Ted Kyzer, Infrastructure Director at the London Development Agency, said: "The London Development Agency is proud to be leading London's Green Homes Programme. Improving the energy efficiency of our homes is key to cutting carbon emissions. We are delighted to support this Mayor of London and British Gas scheme."

The public information campaign will include television adverts and posters across the tube and train network.