Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Hansard, 5 February 1992)

§ Mr. Heathcoat-Amory

[pursuant to his reply, 11 November 1991, c. 773-74]: Experience of the home energy efficiency scheme—HEES—over its first year of operation has shown that the scheme has been well received and meets a real need. I am therefore increasing funding available in 1992–93 by some 50 per cent. However, it has also indicated that some changes are desirable to offer further protection to low-income households, promote higher standards of workmanship and encourage improved access to the scheme through a more uniform pattern of work. I will therefore shortly be introducing new regulations which will allow a package of changes from 1 April.

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The most important effect of these changes will be to limit those who may do work under the scheme to network installers and to contractors who have been listed to undertake work in specific geographic areas under a new arrangement. Such a change will allow greater control over contractors who are not network installers, whilst maintaining the principle of customer choice. Applicants will still be able to carry out work themselves.

From 1 April, a new benefit, disability working allowance, will be added to the list of qualifying benefits for HEES. The maximum grant for each type of work allowable under HEES, with the exception of energy advice, will be raised by around 7 per cent.; the client contribution will be raised by a similar proportion. The present lower grant maximum for work undertaken by trainees will be abolished.

In addition to these changes, a number of other minor amendments will be made which are designed to improve the administration of the scheme. I have today placed in the Library copies of a press release which gives details of these and the other changes.

The increased funds which have been made available to the scheme for 1992–93 and these changes are expected to enable around 240,000 homes to be treated under the scheme in the year.