THE Government's Green Deal to radically overhaul the energy efficiency of homes and small businesses could support a quarter of a million jobs over the next 20 years, Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne said today.

The Green Deal will be a new and radical way of making energy efficiency affordable for all, whether people own or rent their property.

It will help save carbon, energy and money off fuel bills.

It's the first estimate on the potential job creation from the projected £7 billion of Green Deal private sector investment per year.

Were all 26 million households to take up the Green Deal over the next 20 years, employment in the sector would rise from its current level of 27,000 to something approaching 250,000, working all around the country to make our housing stock fit for a low carbon world.

Mr Huhne, the Energy and Climate Change Secretary, said: "The Green Deal is a massive new business opportunity which has the potential to support up to a quarter of a million jobs as part of our third industrial revolution. Insulation installers and the supply chain all stand to benefit from this long overdue energy makeover.

"Energy efficiency is a no brainer. We need to tap in to this huge market to save people money on fuel bills, save carbon and help the economic recovery."

National Insulation Association Chief Executive Neil Marshall said: "The Green Deal is an exciting new initiative which has a key role to play in significantly increasing the uptake of insulation, creating new jobs, whilst also reducing energy bills and tackling climate change. The NIA and its members look forward to continuing to work with Government in developing a robust delivery plan which will ensure a major increase in insulation volumes whilst maintaining the highest levels of quality and customer service."