The Government’s long-awaited package to tackle fuel poverty has finally been unveiled. After weeks of negotiations, it has persuaded energy suppliers and generators to invest £910 million in installing energy efficiency measures in people’s homes.

Free cavity wall and loft insulation will now be available to eleven million pensioners and low-income households, whilst all other households will receive a discount of 50 per cent on the cost of insulating their homes.

The Government has pledged more funding to the Warm Front scheme, which will offer up to £2,700 worth of central heating costs and energy efficiency measures to a further 40,000 low-income and pensioner households.

It is also increasing the Cold Weather Payment from £8.50 to £25 per week for winter 2008/09, but only people claiming certain benefits such as pension credit and income support can claim.

Campaigners have branded the measures too little, too late for the five million people facing fuel poverty by the end of this year. Allan Asher, at energywatch, the industry watchdog, said: “The Government has done little to bring immediate and much-needed relief to consumers who can not afford to keep warm this winter.”

But remember there are many ways to cut the costs of your fuel bills. Here are Times Money's top tips.

Switch to save

Internet price comparison services, such as theenergyshop.com and uswitch.com, can help you to find out how much you could save by switching to a new supplier. A list of the companies operating in your area and their charges is available from Energywatch, the gas and electricity watchdog. Phone 0845 9060708.

Don't overpay

Check your bills, especially after Times readers uncovered apparent flaws in the billing systems of npower, the energy giant. Energywatch believes that excess charges could total more than £50 million.

Find free advice

Find out about available grants for home improvement in your local area by phoning the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512012. It will also give advice on energy-saving products. All the big energy suppliers offer advice, whether through a website evaluation, a telephone hotline, or energy efficiency advisers.

Get switched on

Turning off the lights when you leave a room is a simple and cost-effective habit to get into. Energy-efficient light bulbs last up to ten times longer and use a fraction of the power required by ordinary bulbs. The Energy Saving Trust estimates that each energy-efficient light bulb saves the average household £7 a year.

Radiator sense

Avoid putting large items of furniture in front of radiators as they will block heat flow. Also wrap tinfoil around pieces of cardboard and slot them behind your radiators to reflect heat back into the room. GCSE science, but it works.

Curtain couture

Invest in thicker curtains to help to retain heat, and make sure they are cut to fit your windows properly, resting just below the bottom of the pane.

Turn off your appliances

Computer monitors in screen-save mode reduce energy consumption by only a few watts. Set it to hibernate when you are not using it and switch it off properly at the end of the day. Never leave your television, stereo or other electrical equipment on stand-by.

Social tariffs

The major energy suppliers offer fuel discounts of up to £300 a year to the most vulnerable - elderly and disabled people, families with young children and those on income support. These tariffs are not widely advertised, so phone your supplier and ask if you could benefit.

* To check your eligibility for the Warm Front scheme, see www.warmfront.co.uk or call 0800 316 2805.

* To see how you can benefit from free or discounted home insulation as part of the Government's Home Energy Saving Programme, announced today, call 0800 512 012.