More than 23,000 energy efficiency measures have been installed in rural homes in the UK in the last six months.

That’s an almost 3000% increase between April and September this year, according to new statistics from DECC.

The boost in energy-saving measures – a majority of which are loft and cavity wall insulation – are the result of changes to the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme announced in April, DECC added.

Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Energy Amber Rudd said: “We’ve seen a major increase in the number of rural homes that have been made warmer and cheaper to heat – 23,400 measures installed, up from 834 in April.

“These new estimates from energy companies are a sure sign that action from Government to help people living in rural areas is working.”

• DECC, ECO, insulation, rural areas, UK