§ Mr. Homewoodasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he is satisfied with the operation of measures to assist energy consumers in the low income groups.
§ Mr. David HowellYes. In addition to the direct help provided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services—some £200 million in the year to November 1981 and around £250 million in the following year—grants are available to help people insulate their homes and my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Energy recently announced further expenditure of over £100,000 this year to help voluntary organisations to develop local home insulation projects which are intended principally to assist the elderly, the disabled and others on low incomes. The fuel industries themselves give a great deal of advice and, where they can, operate a number of schemes to assist people in budgeting for their bills.