§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what his estimate is of the extra number of qualified engineers required(a) nationally and (b) in North Staffordshire to implement the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. [139669]
§ Mr. MeacherThe national shortage of qualified heating engineers has severely affected the rate at which central heating systems are being repaired or installed under the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme.
To reduce the delays being experienced, we estimate than an additional 300 to 400 heating engineers are required nationally over the next six months, with a further 300 thereafter to allow for the planned expansion of the scheme. Within the Birmingham-Staffordshire area, some 80 additional engineers are required.
The scheme managers are currently recruiting additional contractors. They are also funding the training of an additional 200 to 400 engineers over the next six months in conjunction with the Gas Industry Training Organisation. They are also encouraging existing installers to move engineers from areas with low demand to those with the highest such as Birmingham-Staffordshire.
§ Mr. AingerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much financial support has been given to home energy efficiency schemes in each year since the introduction of the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation. [139939]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 27 November 2000]: The new Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), was launched on 1 June 2000 and is available in England only. The previous scheme covered Great Britain only. Northern Ireland has always had its own separate scheme. Until 1999, the scheme shared administration and delivery costs and there was no separate allocations for England, Scotland and Wales. During 1999–2000, the scheme was devolved to Scotland with a set budget with Wales following on from 1 April 2000. The total allocation for each year from 1990–91 to date is shown in the table together with the approximate proportion spent in Scotland and Wales.
Financial year Total allocation £ million Of which approximately allocated to Scotland Percentage Of which approximately allocated to Wales Percentage 1990–911 1.5 n/a n/a 1991–92 26.1 9 4 1992–93 33.6 8 3 1993–94 41.5 8 4 1994–95 83 8 5 1995–96 107.2 8 5 1996–97 76.1 8 5 1997–98 76.1 8 4 1998–99 76.2 7 6 1999–2000 74.9 2— 5 2000–01 122 3— 1 Expenditure in 1990–91 was for three months only.
2 From 1 July 1999, Scotland set up its own separate scheme "Warm Deal". The total amount transferred to Scotland for the whole year (including expenditure during I April to 30 June) was £5.9 million. This figure does not include any additional moneys allocated by the Scottish Executive to the programme.
608W3 From this financial year England, Scotland and Wales have their own individually funded scheme.
Note:
n/a = Not available