Thousands of households in England could have their energy bills cut by up to £200 a year under a new government scheme to give them free home improvements.

More than 4,000 low-income homes are to receive free energy efficiency upgrades designed to reduce their bills and make their homes warmer.

Plans to upgrade the insulation in homes across the country or install low cost clean heating will see the government invest £67 million in the Home Upgrade Grant that will then be allocated to 22 local authorities in England.

Families in west Kent are set to be among those to benefit with £402,500 earmarked for Sevenoaks council alone.

Those eligible for the free help will be low-income homes that are off-gas grid households meaning that they are reliant on alternative heating sources such as bottled gas or oil to heat their properties.

The grants will pay for energy efficiency measures such as wall and roof insulation or new low-carbon eating systems, thermostats or room heating controls - all expected to be delivered before the end of March 2023.

With energy bills soon set to sky rocket because of the introduction of a higher energy cap on prices, the money will help people most vulnerable to fuel poverty, says the government.

Both those in rented accommodation and owner-occupied properties will be considered.

Business and Energy Minister Lord Callanan said: "This funding will make a real difference to thousands of low-income households – saving them up to £200 a year on their energy bills through upgrades like better insulation.

"This is just the first round of the £950 million funding we have committed over the next 3 years and will ensure we help those most in need. It will keep more money in people’s pockets, at the same time as making homes warmer, more comfortable and greener."

Other government measures planned to help people manage the cost of their energy bills this year include a £150 non-repayable rebate in Council Tax bills for all households in bands A to D and £200 off energy bills this autumn which people will then pay back automatically over the next five years.