Calls have been made for the Government to step in and ensure that all properties in the country’s most deprived ward are made more energy efficient.

Tendring District Council’s deputy leader Paul Honeywood says he has written to Climate Change Minister Greg Barker offering to show him around Jaywick on the north Essex coast, so that he can see what work has already been carried out – and what still needs to be done.

Over the past two years almost 1,000 out of 1,700 homes have been improved with new external wall insulation. Around 700 have received new heating and windows.

This has been achieved through two pots of funding and it was hoped that would continue so that all properties at least received the wall insulation.

But the remaining homes in Jaywick have been left with out any improvements, partly due to the fact that many are too small to qualify and secondly because most have a gas supply.

The funding from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) framework mostly goes to those with the highest carbon emissions, therefore homes that are larger in size, and off-gas are more likely to qualify.

Mr Honeywood, who is also Tendring Council’s cabinet member for housing, has written to Mr Barker asking him to look into the situation personally.

“I am sure that the scheme as it was set up was not meant to work against homes in Jaywick but that is how it has worked out,” he said.

“We have situations where some people in the same street are able to get the work done - and others cannot. It has turned into a considerable local issue and is also of great concern to me.”

The majority of Jaywick properties are small chalet bungalows that started off as holiday homes in the 1930s.

Mr Honeywood added that he wants to see the remainder of those homes that missed out treated in the same way as those which have benefited from the energy efficiency work.

“I am more than happy to show Mr Barker and his officials around so they can see the situation for themselves,” he added.