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Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill

I am sure that my hon. Friend is an expert on thatched coverage to the upper regions of one’s house, so to speak. He is absolutely right—thatch is indeed an excellent form of insulation, as is white snow. The Braintree scheme illustrates how quickly energy savings can repay capital investments. Tax incentives ensure an even quicker return, although I sound a note of caution about fiscal incentives. I believe that Braintree district council’s scheme has been so successful because it is simple and easy as well as cost-effective. It is helped, of course, by the fact that the council tax is very much on everyone’s mind at the moment—especially pensioners and the less well off—and any opportunity for a discount would immediately be attractive. The Association for the Conservation of Energy has said of fiscal incentives for energy efficiency that"““there is no doubt that consumers like to think they are getting something for nothing, especially if it is some kind of valid avoidance.””"