Last year saw yet another increase in the amount of money put into ethical investments, it has been revealed.

According to the non-profit responsible investment research specialists EIRAS, £9.5 billion was put into green and ethical retail funds by around 750,000 investors.

This is in stark comparison to 1999, when 200,000 investors put £2.4 billion into such funds.

Mark Robertson, a spokesperson for EIRIS, explained how investors are now taking an interest in issues such as climate change, human rights, fairtrade and poverty .

He added: 2010 is a critical year for rebuilding public trust in UK financial institutions.

It's clear that increasing numbers of consumers are turning to those financial institutions which offer financial products that make money whilst making a positive difference to the world.

Meanwhile, Virgin Money's latest Investors Intentions Index revealed that 30 per cent of independent financial advisers expect to see an increase in investment sales under the new coalition government.