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.

The changes are said to have opened up ECO to many more homes in rural communities and speed up the process..

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.”