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Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how her Department regulates the use of SF6 and its emissions in electricity transmission and distribution in the United Kingdom. - Including figures. (Holding answer 28 October 2002).

Asked by

Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 November 2002

Reference

77567; 392 c849W;392 c708W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will estimate how many households would be taken out of fuel poverty if their properties were to be improved by the average SAP rating achieved by Warm Front and Warm Front plus assistance; what funding (a)...

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

7 November 2002

Reference

392 c684W;392 c697W; 79512;79508;79506;79514;79510;79505;79513;79509;79507;79511

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many buildings her Department has made cheaper to keep warm through the installation of energy efficiency measures since December 1998. - Includes figures and ref to Home Energy Conservation Act 1995.

Asked by

David Laws (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 July 2002

Reference

69301; 389 c479W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much money has been spent on the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme since its introduction, broken down by the different measures. - Includes table.

Asked by

Alistair Carmichael (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

14 May 2002

Reference

51977; 385 c559W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if she will indicate what her understanding is of whether sections of Article 1 of EC Regulation 2037/2000 as agreed on 29th June 2000, apply to ozone-depleting substances used in refrigerator door insulation material. - (Holding answer 18...

Asked by

Michael Jack (Conservative)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

18 March 2002

Reference

39995; 382 c136W;382 c134W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what representations she has received regarding the specification of works under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Asked by

Lynne Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

11 March 2002

Reference

38305; 381 c795W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many insulation grants have been made in each of the last ten years. - Inc table. (Holding answer 30 January 2002).

Asked by

Chris Ruane (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

22 January 2002

For answer on

4 February 2002

Answered on

4 February 2002

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many insulation grants have been made in each of the last 10 years. [30564] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 30 January 2002]: The original Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) started in 1991 and ran until May 2000. HEES was available in Great Britain and provided a single main insulation measure up to the value of £315. New HEES was launched on 1 June 2000 and is now marketed as the Warm Front Team. The scheme has been designed to provide packages of insulation and heating measures up to £2,000 to private sector householders in England, dependent upon their needs and property type. The annual budget is £150 million. HEES is expected by 2004, to have provided assistance to 800,000 fuel poor householders i.e. those who spend 10 per cent. or more of their income to stay warm. Fuel Poverty is a devolved area of responsibility. Scotland launched its scheme in July 1999 and Wales followed in November 2000. Northern Ireland runs its own scheme. The table provides the information requested: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Financial year Number of insulation grants made in Great Britain 1991-92 167,000 1992-93 204,000 1993-94 270,000 1994-95 450,000 1995-96 624,000 1996-97 415,000 1997-98 416,000 1998-99 419,000 1999-2000 {1}405,000 2000-01 {2}85,000 2001-02 {3}171,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Data relate to the whole of Great Britain up to July 1999 when Scotland launched its own scheme. {2} Data relate to England and Wales up to November 2000 when Wales launched its own scheme. {3} Data relate to the period April 2001 to December 2001

Date

4 February 2002

Reference

30564; 379 c755W;379 c751W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many instances there were in each English region in each month since June 2000 of (a) HEES and (b) HEES Plus grant being topped-up by the recipient to pay for the full costs of the improvements; what...

Asked by

Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

26 November 2001

For answer on

28 January 2002

Answered on

28 January 2002

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many instances there were in each English region in each month since June 2000 of (a) HEES and (b) HEES Plus grant being topped-up by the recipient to pay for the full costs of the improvements; what was the average amount of the top-up; and what was the average administration cost to Eaga Partnerships and Eastern Warm Front to process each top-up. [19348] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 29 November 2001]: The Eaga Partnership Ltd. and TXU Warm Front Ltd. manage the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, marketed as the Warm Front Team, under contract. The scheme provides packages of energy efficiency measures tailored to the circumstances of the householder and the property. Where the total cost of these cannot be met from the available grant, the scheme managers seek support from other programmes. If this is not possible, then the scheme manager advises the householder of the amount of money required to complete the work and asks them to contribute towards the excess cost if the full programme of recommended energy efficiency is to go ahead. Should they do so, the sum is paid directly to the installer concerned. If the client is unable to make the required contribution then those measures requiring additional funding are not installed. The majority of requests for a client contribution occur at the £1,000 grant level, when it is not possible to repair a gas central heating boiler and a replacement is required. A decision on grant levels will be made shortly and will take into account the level of client contributions and advice from the scheme managers on the expected rates of labour and materials for the forthcoming year. The table sets out the available information on the number of letters sent to HEES clients and the average contribution requested, month by month, since June 2000. Unfortunately, data are not available in the format requested by the hon. Member. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Number of letters Average value of top-ups (£) 2000 June 10 690 July 10 320 August 20 210 September 90 520 October 200 300 November 290 360 December 180 420 2001 January 350 330 February 370 540 March 400 390 April 350 430 May 540 450 June 980 540 July 1,250 830 August 1,260 640 September 1,190 510 October 1,490 370 November 1,100 400 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. The higher number of top-up requests over the last six months reflects the increasing number of householders receiving assistance through HEES. Currently, 98,000 householders are having work carried out on their properties. Since the launch of the scheme on 1 June 2000, 234,000 households have received assistance. Some 10,000 have been invited to make a contribution. The cost incurred in seeking contributions is incorporated within the scheme managers' fees for administering the scheme. These fees are included in their contracts with my Department. It is not possible to identify their costs separately.

Date

28 January 2002

Reference

379 c93-4W; 19348

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many houses in (a) the UK and (b) Wales lack (i) insulation and (ii) draughtproofing; and what measures the Government is taking to lower this figure. - Inc table.

Asked by

Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

19 December 2001

For answer on

21 January 2002

Answered on

21 January 2002

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many houses in (a) the UK and (b) Wales lack (i) insulation and (ii) draught-proofing; and what measures the Government are taking to lower this figure. [25626] Mr. Meacher: As fuel poverty is a devolved matter, it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in their countries. The information is set out in respect of England: Insulation of households in England 1999 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Households Number With no insulation{1} 2,600,000 Without full insulation{2} 18,100,000 With no draught-proofing{3} 4,400,000 Without full draught-proofing{4} 7,290,000 Total 20,800,000 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} No insulation is taken to mean the following: no loft insulation (where there is a loft); no cavity insulation (if there is a cavity wall); no double glazing. {2} Full insulation is taken to mean the following: at least four inches of loft insulation (where there is a loft); cavity walls insulated (where there are cavity walls); at least 80 per cent. of windows double glazed. {3} Double glazing is taken to include draught proofing. {4} Full draught-proofing is taken to mean 80 per cent. or more of rooms draught-proofed. The Government's main programme for private sector households in England is the home energy efficiency scheme (HEES), marketed as the warm front team, which is designed to tackle fuel poverty among those most vulnerable to cold related ill health--older householders, families with children and the disabled or those with long term illness. The scheme provides grants for a package of insulation and heating improvements. Separate programmes are in place to bring social sector housing up to a decent standard. The Government have recently set a target of 62 fuel-standardised terawatt hours for improvements in energy efficiency to be achieved by electricity and gas suppliers under the Energy Efficiency Commitment for 2002 to 2005 (EEC). Suppliers' EEC programmes are expected to include significant numbers of insulation measures. The Government also provide funding to the Energy Saving Trust to run a wide ranging programme of work to promote energy efficiency in homes. This includes promotion of cavity wall insulation and draught-proofing via advertising, advice centres and a database of available grants.

Date

21 January 2002

Reference

25626; 378 c613W;378 c608-9W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what was the total budget for the Warm Front schemes in the (a) Eaga area and (b) Eastern area during 2001-2002; and (i) how much and (ii) what percentage of these budgets (1) has already been spent and...

Asked by

Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

19 December 2001

For answer on

21 January 2002

Answered on

21 January 2002

Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what was the total budget for the warm front schemes in the (a) Eaga area and (b) eastern area during 2001-02; and (i) how much and (ii) what percentage of these budgets (1) has already been spent and (2) is projected to be spent by the end of the year given present trends; and what measures Eaga and eastern are expected to take to bring budgets back into line if they are depleted before the end of the year. [25354] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 9 January 2002]: The home energy efficiency scheme (HEES), now marketed as the warm front team, is administered by two scheme managers, TXU Warm Front Ltd. (responsible for the eastern, east midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber) and Eaga Partnership Ltd. (responsible for the rest of England). The table provides the information requested. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Eaga Partnership TXU Warm Front Total HEES budget 2001-02{1} (£ 139 54 193 million) Percentage of budget already 65 67 -- spent Percentage likely to be spent by 100 100 -- year end _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} The budget for 2001-02 includes the moneys not used in the previous financial year The scheme managers have sufficient resources to meet demand in this financial year. The major difficulty that they continue to face is the national shortage of gas heating engineers. Both scheme managers continue to recruit installers and thereby improve the quality of service provided to householders.

Date

21 January 2002

Reference

378 c611-2W;378 c608W; 25354

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment she has made of (a) how much is invested annually into household energy efficiency and (b) how this money is spent. - Inc table.

Asked by

Elfyn Llwyd (Plaid Cymru)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

19 December 2001

For answer on

18 January 2002

Answered on

18 January 2002

Mr. Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of (a) how much is invested annually into household energy efficiency and (b) how this money is spent. [25625] Mr. Meacher: The Government estimate that during 2000 (the most recent year for which figures are available) the total investment in household energy efficiency measures was approximately £250 million (excluding double glazing). The breakdown for the major items of this expenditure is: _________________________________________________________________________________________________. £ million Loft insulation 90 Cavity wall insulation 70 Lighting 50 Draught proofing 20 Condensing boilers{1} 10 Tank insulation 5 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} This figure includes only the fraction of the total cost of the boiler assumed to represent the additional cost of the increased energy efficiency. Although installing double glazing in homes does increase the energy efficiency of the building it is rare that double glazing is installed for energy efficiency reasons alone. Hence, expenditure on double glazing is excluded from the figures. However, the Government estimate that the energy efficiency component of double glazing installations totals some £500 million p.a.

Date

18 January 2002

Reference

25625; 378 c516W;378 c512W

House

House of Commons

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many homes have benefited from completed warm front scheme installations; how many homes are in the process of being assessed; how many people have been turned down for up-grading of their heating; what the average wait is...

Asked by

Colin Pickthall (Labour)

Answering body

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

18 December 2001

For answer on

17 January 2002

Answered on

17 January 2002

Mr. Pickthall: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many homes have benefited from completed warm front scheme installations; how many homes are in the process of being assessed; how many people have been turned down for up-grading of their heating; what the average wait is between application and installation; what has been the cost thus far to the public purse; and what assessment he has made of the efficiency of the EAGA partnership in delivering the scheme. [24951] Mr. Meacher: [holding answer 9 January 2002]: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), now marketed as The Warm Front Team, is administered by two scheme managers, TXU Warm Front Ltd. (responsible for the Eastern, East Midlands and Yorkshire and the Humber) and Eaga Partnership Ltd. (responsible for the rest of England). HEES provides households with packages of heating and insulation measures tailored to their circumstances and property type. Where the householder is eligible and the property requires heating; then it is provided. The precise package is discussed and agreed between the householder and HEES surveyor. Number of homes completed or orders placed with the contractor (June 2000 to December 2001): 274,000 Number of homes awaiting assessment: 56,000 Number of homes where insulation-only measures provided or currently being assessed: 285,000 Current average waiting time between application and installation: 71 days{1} Total cost of the scheme (June 2000 to December 2001): £193 million {1} Measured from date of call with respect of telephone applications, from date of receipt in case of postal applications or from date of e-mail. There is usually a period of 1-8 weeks between the date of actual installation and the receipt of the invoice from installers. The introduction of the radically improved Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in June 2000 represented a difficult challenge for both scheme managers. The national shortage of gas heating engineers has led to severe delays in some areas in the installation and repair of central heating systems. Both scheme managers have worked hard to recruit installers and to improve the quality of service provided to householders. The Department continues to maintain a close watch on their performance.

Date

17 January 2002

Reference

24951; 378 c474-5W;378 c470-1W

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what the overall figure is for savings on energy efficiency for England based on the returns reported by individual local authorities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995. - Includes ref to 26 January 2001 at 361...

Asked by

Lynne Jones (Labour)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Date

8 May 2001

Reference

368 c30W; 160116

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Statement on what progress is being made to combat fuel poverty amongst pensioners. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Ian Davidson (Labour; Co-operative Party)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

28 March 2001

For answer on

2 April 2001

Answered on

2 April 2001

Mr. Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what progress is being made to combat fuel poverty among pensioners. [156574] Mr. Meacher: On 23 February 2001, the Government published its Fuel Poverty Strategy for consultation. The Strategy sets out our commitment to end the blight of fuel poverty for vulnerable households--which includes pensioners on low incomes--by 2010. The Government have already taken action to tackle the main causes of fuel poverty--low income and poor energy efficiency--to help those suffering from fuel poverty. The Winter Fuel Payment, which has been increased to £200 for this winter, will help many older households in, or at risk from, fuel poverty. For the poorest pensioners we have introduced the Minimum Income Guarantee, which is already helping 1.6 million pensioner households. We have also reduced the level of VAT on fuel and on the installation of energy saving materials, so that people can more easily afford to keep warm. Further reductions in energy bills have resulted from the reform of the energy market. But the permanent solution is to provide better insulation and heating. We have made available substantial additional capital funds for housing investment by local authorities. We have also launched our radical new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES). The scheme now provides grants for packages of heating and insulation improvement measures, including high efficiency central heating systems for low-income households aged 60 years or more. With a budget of over £600 million, HEES is expected to have reached some 800,000 vulnerable households by 2004, 480,000 being over-60s. In addition, the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance schemes (EESOPs) run by the energy suppliers have been doubled to some £50 million a year. Around two-thirds of this help is going to pensioner and low-income families. From 2002 the Government are proposing to increase the scale of the scheme, to around £150 million a year, continuing its focus on disadvantaged consumers. As this 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.

Date

2 April 2001

Reference

156574; 366 c14-5W

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will publish a report on the improvements resulting from work carried out under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, showing for each energy conservation authority (a) expenditure on energy efficiency improvement, (b) percentage improvement in...

Asked by

Alan Simpson (Labour)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

11 January 2001

For answer on

26 January 2001

Answered on

26 January 2001

Mr. Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will publish a report on the improvements resulting from work carried out under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995, showing for each energy conservation authority (a) expenditure on energy efficiency improvement, (b) percentage improvement in residential energy efficiency, (c) estimated reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and (d) estimated reduction in levels of fuel poverty. [145763] Mr. Meacher: The Secretary of State presented a report to Parliament on 13 April 1999 covering activity by energy conservation authorities over the period from 28 June 1995 to 31 March 1998, and other developments up to the end of 1998. Copies of the report were placed in the Libraries of the House. Alternatively, a copy is available on DETR's website at:www.environment.detr.gov.uk/energy/heca95/ index.htm Details of reported percentage energy efficiency improvements in England in the period 1 April 1996 to 31 March 2000 were given in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Sutton (Mrs. Gilroy) on 30 November 2000, Official Report, columns 757-58W. That information and details of expenditure by authority, overall expenditure and carbon dioxide reductions in each energy conservation authority area is included in four summary reports, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The information sought on the estimated reduction in levels of fuel poverty is not available centrally and, to my knowledge, is not collected by any other organisation. Information on the incidence of fuel poverty by Government Office region is contained in the 1996 English House Condition Survey Energy Report and some energy conservation authorities may have more specific fuel poverty data for their own purposes. Although authorities in England have been asked to report on their policies voluntarily, strategies and achievements in tackling fuel poverty alongside their Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 progress reports, they have not been required to identify fuel poor households or to report changes in the number of such households.

Date

26 January 2001

Reference

145763; 361 c731W;361 c733W

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what additional money he has allocated to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and if he will make a statement in respect of eligible insulation and central heating measures. - Inc figures.

Asked by

Joan Walley (Labour)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

16 November 2000

For answer on

30 November 2000

Answered on

30 November 2000

Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what additional money he has allocated to the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and if he will make a statement in respect of eligible insulation and central heating measures. [139668] Mr. Meacher: The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme provides grants of up to £2,000 for comprehensive packages of insulation and heating improvements. The scheme is aimed at those households who are most vulnerable to cold-related ill health: older people and families on low incomes, and the disabled and chronically sick. The scheme is focused on the private sector where nearly 70 per cent. of the fuel poor in England are found. Following the Comprehensive Spending Review this summer, the budget for the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme has been set at: 2000-01: £122 million 2001-02: £153 million 2002-03: Increased by £14 million to £167 million 2003-04: Increased by £18 million to £171 million. The scheme provides packages of measures drawn from the following list: Insulation measures Loft insulation Draughtproofing doors and windows Cavity wall insulation Hot water tank insulation Compact fluorescent lamps Heating system measures Gas room heaters with thermostat controls Electric storage heaters Closed solid fuel fire cassette Electric dual immersion water heater with foam insulated tank Timer controls for electric space and water heaters Central heating through electric or gas systems (only for low income households aged 60 years or more). The package offered is tailored to the conditions of the individual property.

Date

30 November 2000

Reference

357 c765-7W; 139668

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many properties in the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency have benefited from improvements funded through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in each of the last 10 years. - Including table and figures.

Asked by

Hilary Benn (Labour)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

8 November 2000

For answer on

14 November 2000

Answered on

14 November 2000

Mr. Hilary Benn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many properties in the Leeds, Central parliamentary constituency have benefited from improvements funded through the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in each of the last 10 years. [138073] Mr. Meacher: The table identifies the number of properties receiving insulation measures and value of grant for each of the last 10 financial years. _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Financial year Number of grants Value of grants (£000) 1991-92 761 91.5 1992-93 629 87.8 1993-94 1,309 190.7 1994-95 1,298 206.4 1995-96 1,843 259.2 1996-97 1,457 203.4 1997-98 1,377 191.1 1998-99 952 137.2 1999-2000 1,163 153.3 2000-2001 {1}85 75.8 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} A further 503 households are awaiting permission from the social or private landlords for work to be carried out The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) for England was launched on 1 June 2000. It replaced the more basic scheme that operated since 1991. HEES provides packages of insulation and heating measures, linked to the condition of the property and the type of householder. The grant maximum increased from £315 up to £2,000. As a consequence, the average value of work per household has substantially increased.

Date

14 November 2000

Reference

356 c583-4W; 138073

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 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...

Asked by

Anthony Steen (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

26 October 2000

For answer on

6 November 2000

Answered on

6 November 2000

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.

Date

6 November 2000

Reference

356 c20-2W; 135930;136027

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many council homes in Shrewsbury and Atcham will benefit from home energy efficiency measures by the end of this year; and if he will make a statement; how many households will be helped out of fuel...

Asked by

Paul Marsden (Labour)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 July 2000

For answer on

19 July 2000

Answered on

19 July 2000

Mr. Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many council homes in Shrewsbury and Atcham will benefit from home energy efficiency measures by the end of this year; and if he will make a statement; [131157] (2) how many households will be helped out of fuel poverty by 2002 through energy-efficiency schemes in Shrewsbury and Atcham. [131137] Mr. Meacher: The Government have introduced a wide range of programmes to tackle poor energy efficiency, one of the main causes of fuel poverty. These are as follows. From 1 June, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme provides grants of up to £2,000 for comprehensive packages of insulation and heating improvements. The scheme is aimed at those households which are most vulnerable to cold-related ill health: older people and families on low incomes, and the disabled and chronically sick. HEES has a budget of £275 million for the first two years, which is expected to help some 460,000 households. The scheme is focused on the private sector where nearly 70 per cent. of the fuel poor in England are found. However, limited funds will still be available for social housing in the first two years. We have released substantial additional funds to help improve our housing stock; in total some £5 billion is being made available over the lifetime of this Parliament for investment in housing. Most of the additional resources are going to local authorities and will be spent according to the needs and priorities identified in their housing strategy. We estimate that around one third of the money is likely to lead directly or indirectly to improvements in energy efficiency. Government funded programmes operated by the Energy Saving Trust improve the energy efficiency of both fuel poor households and others. In addition, some of the Government funded regeneration schemes will help to improve home energy efficiency in specific areas. To support the installation of energy efficiency measures, from 1 July 1998 the Government have reduced VAT from 17.5 per cent. to 5 per cent. for the installation of energy efficiency materials through Government funded grant schemes such as HEES. The Spring 2000 budget extended the reduced rate of VAT of 5 per cent. to include the installation of energy saving material in "all" homes and the installation of heating measures through Government funded grant schemes. The Government are also introducing provisions to enable lessors to claim capital allowances on their investment in boilers, radiators and controls installed in residential properties under the Affordable Warmth Programme. The Programme will operate from 2000 to 2007, with the aim of helping up to 1 million low income households, primarily in the social sector, benefit from improved energy efficiency. In addition to Government energy efficiency programmes, since 1994, public electricity suppliers have, under the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance, been required to encourage and assist customers with energy efficiency measures. The new Director General of the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets has, from this year extended these to also include public gas suppliers and the overall size of the programme has been doubled to £50 million a year. 65 per cent. of this expenditure will be allocated to low income households. Under the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) 1995, local authorities with housing responsibilities were required to prepare, publish and submit to the Secretary of State an energy conservation report identifying energy conservation measures considered to be practicable, cost-effective and likely to result in a significant improvement in the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their area. In England, authorities are now reporting annually on the progress being made in implementing the measures identified. Furthermore, we have now asked local authorities to report on their policies and achievements specifically in combating fuel poverty, at the same time as they submit their HECA progress reports. The next HECA progress report from local authorities is due by 31 July 2000. The energy conservation report prepared by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, and their most recent progress report, should be available from the Council.

Date

19 July 2000

Reference

354 c206-8W; 131157;131137

House

House of Commons

Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, how many contractors he expects to use under the new home energy efficiency scheme; how many contractors used by the home energy efficiency scheme in the period up to April 2000 are not eligible for the new...

Asked by

Damian Green (Conservative)

Answering body

Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions

Type

Written questions

Status

Answered

Tabled on

13 July 2000

For answer on

19 July 2000

Answered on

19 July 2000

Mr. Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) how many contractors he expects to use under the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; [131310] (2) how many contractors used by the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in the period up to April 2000 are not eligible for the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; [131311] (3) what guidance he has issued to determine which contractors are eligible to be considered under the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme; and if he will make a statement. [131312] Mr. Meacher: Some 100 insulation and heating installation contractors are currently appointed to the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, which started in June. The two Scheme Managers for New HEES expect to appoint up to a further 45 contractors. The New HEES scheme, which started in June, provides vulnerable householders with a comprehensive package of insulation, together with efficient central heating for householders over 60 in age, through grants of up to £2,000. The previous scheme provided householders with one insulation measure per household, mainly draughtproofing, with a maximum grant of £315. Funding for the scheme has been increased from about £76 million last year to around £122 million this year and around £153 million next year. Some 130 insulation contractors were involved in the previous scheme. The Scheme Managers for New HEES, Eastern Energy and the EAGA Partnership Ltd., were appointed by my Department following UK Public Procurement Rules and Regulations. They are contractually required to appoint installers using the same competitive tendering process and following the same Regulations. All existing installers were eligible to tender for appointment to the new scheme. Installers have been chosen on the basis of their technical abilities to deal with the wider range of measures provided through New HEES, their ability to meet the quality standard, and the price tendered.

Date

19 July 2000

Reference

354 c205-6W; 131310;131311;131312

House

House of Commons

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