§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage integration and co-ordination between the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme, energy efficiency commitment schemes and other sources of funding for domestic energy efficiency programmes. [145767]
§ Mr. MeacherThe Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is managed on behalf of the Department by Eastern HEES Ltd. for the East of England and by the Eaga Partnership in the remainder of the country. Both scheme managers are contractually required to seek opportunities to integrate and co-ordinate efforts with other fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes such as those operated by public energy suppliers under the Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance.
To date the largest such link-up has been with British Gas Trading which is supporting the installation of condensing gas boilers through HEES and the installation of cavity wall insulation. The total value of the link up is some £8 million.
The HEES scheme managers have also formed links with some local authorities, integrating the scheme with the authorities' House Renovation and Home Repair Assistance programmes.
We continue to seek further opportunities for co-ordinating HEES with other local programmes.
As HEES is a devolved function, it is the responsibility for the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the position with regard to the schemes in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.