Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has announced that a minimum of £540 million of the government's home energy efficiency scheme will be used to assist the poorest homeowners in the country.

The most vulnerable residents in Britain will also be protected as part of the plans, which aim to provide lower energy bills and complete installations to ensure that properties are cheaper to heat.

In a speech, Mr Clegg explained: "We will be requiring the energy companies to provide an estimated £1.3 billion a year of support for energy efficiency in our homes with at least £540 million to fund energy saving improvements in the worst off homes."

He went on to say that it is shameful that Britain still has a high number of families who cannot heat their houses.

Mr Clegg's pledge follows a study by MoneySupermarket, which found that, due to February's cold weather, residents will spend an extra £77 a month on their energy bills this year.