HC Deb 04 February 2002 vol 379 c747W
Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assistance is available to pensioners to upgrade inefficient central heating systems; and if she will make a statement. [31344]

Mr. Meacher

Where either a pensioner does not have a central heating system of their existing system has broken down they may apply to the Government's Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) for assistance. HEES has been designed to provide packages of insulation and heating measures up to £2,000, dependent upon the needs of the householders and property type. Its annual budget is £150 million.

Further assistance is provided through the reduction of VAT on domestic fuel to 5 per cent. and the increase to winter fuel payments for pensioner households to £200. The latter is expected to be worth £1.7 billion per annum and provides assistance to 11.5 million people.