The green deal revealed last year by the UK government could be vital to increasing jobs in the UK construction industry in 2012 and beyond.

Later this year, the government will offer loans to UK homeowners which will help them to install solar panels, as well as increasing their insulation and making other energy saving changes to their homes.

And according to Gordon Miller, co-founder and sustainability and communications director at Sustain Worldwide, if it is done correctly, it could create 250,000 construction jobs in the country.

"It is vital for UK plc that the green economy drives business growth – and the Green Investment Bank [GIB] is one of the primary stimulus mechanisms the government has chosen."

Last week, the government also launched a new initiative looking to get "problem families" back into work by offering incentives to companies to help them offer training and employment to those who have been out of work for an extended period of time.