07 Oct 2010 11:10:06

High street stores may look to cash-in on Green Deal

A number of high street stores are reportedly looking at selling loft insulation as part of the government's Green Deal.

The flagship scheme will allow people to make energy-efficient improvements without the upfront cost.

Over the next 20 years, it's thought that 26 million homes could benefit from the scheme, which will also support 250,000 jobs, according to the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Tesco, B&Q and Marks and Spencer are among the retail giants looking to sell loft insulation and other energy-efficiency products as part of the deal, the Guardian reports.

Climate minister Greg Barker was quoted by the news provider as saying: "Often these retailers know better how to engage with customers than the large energy companies."

However, David Timms, energy campaigner for Friends of the Earth, expressed concerns about the project.

He told the news provider: "The concern with supermarkets being involved is not the supermarkets, but what the private sector will demand in return."

The Green Deal is expected to be available in late 2012.