Gordon Brown is to unveil an aid package to help people struggling with the soaring cost of energy.

The package is expected to focus on assisting with energy efficiency measures like loft insulation, new boilers and double glazing.

More than 10 million households are expected to benefit from the offer, including the country's poorest families.

A windfall tax on energy companies' "excessive" profits does not look likely but there is speculation that the energy companies are to make increased contributions to the Government's carbon emissions reduction targets scheme.

Downing Street confirmed the package but would not discuss details.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference after talks with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Mr Brown said the leaders had discussed ways of ending "the dictatorship of oil" in a bid to resolve the fuel crisis.

Mr Brown said: "We both agree that nuclear could play an important part in achieving our shared objectives on climate change and energy security."

British and Italian officials will explore "new areas of co-operation", the Prime Minister added.

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