---

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mr. Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many people on low incomes living in private sector homes in (a) the United Kingdom and (b) Devon have had energy efficiency measures implemented and central heating and security devices installed in their homes as part of the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and how many are waiting for such work to be carried out; [135930] (2) if he will make a statement on progress on the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, with particular reference to the rate of installation of (a) loft insulation, (b) cavity wall insulation, (c) draught-proofing, (d) efficient central heating, (d) door and window locks, (e) spy holes and (f) smoke alarms; and what steps he is taking to ensure hot water and central heating work are given priority before the onset of winter. [136027] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 2 November 2000]: The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) for England was launched on 1 June 2000. It replaced a more basic scheme that had operated since 1991, providing low income and disabled households with a single insulation improvement such as window and door draught-proofing. New HEES provides packages of insulation and heating measures, linked to the condition of the property and the type of householder. To provide these packages the grant maximum has been raised from the previous £315 to up to £2,000 in the case of low-income households aged 60 years or more. The latter may also receive a package of basic security measures, funded through the Home Office `Locks for Pensioners' initiative, if they live in an area experiencing above the national average burglary rate for England. The scheme is managed by two regional scheme managers. They are responsible for marketing the scheme and surveying homes to identify the improvements required. Once these are agreed with the householder, a works order is placed with local contractors. The table sets out the number of households that have had work completed and those where orders have been, or are about to be, placed. Due to the package approach taken, it is not possible to break down the individual insulation and security measures that will be provided to households. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Type of measure Number of households in England Number of households in England Number of households in England (of which in Devon) where work (of which in Devon) where work (of which in Devon) where work has been completed and invoices orders issued to contractors{1} orders yet to be issued to received installers Insulation and security measures 21,960 (571) 42,054 (982) 1,007 (0) Installation of new central 663 (1) 9,287 (472) 2,968 (19) heating system and insulation Repair to broken central heating 1,290 (0) 8,126 (186) 425 (15) system _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Due to the one to three week delay between the completion of the work and the issue of invoices by contractors it is likely that work has already been completed in some of these households. In addition to those shown above, there are a further 5,200 properties (of which 132 are in Devon) where permission is awaited from private landlords or owner occupiers for the work to be carried out. After a slow start on the summer, insulation measures are now being installed within four to six weeks from the date of survey. The national shortage of qualified heating engineers has severely affected the rate at which central heating systems are being repaired or installed. Devon is one of the areas most affected, with the shortage reflected in labour costs which are up to 20 per cent. higher than elsewhere in the country. We are working with the heating industry to address this shortage of trained engineers. In addition, as part of its Affordable Warmth Programme, Transco has also allocated some £10 million towards the training of energy efficiency professionals, including new heating engineers.In the meantime, additional contractors are being sought, and it is expected that the backlog on repairs should be cleared by the end of the year. However some delays in the installation of new heating systems are likely to continue until additional engineers become available. As energy efficiency is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

356 c20-2W; 135930;136027

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Conservation Devon Energy Households Grants Insulation Warm front scheme Training Central heating Engineers Locks and keys

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk