§ Mr. Norman Atkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make an assessment of the cost of a home heating rebate scheme based on criteria identical to those used for the rate rebate scheme, assuming the gas and electricity consumed to be equal in value to the rates paid by the householder or consumer and that the rebates paid would be equal in value to the rate rebates now paid.
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§ Mr. MellorThe cost of such a scheme would be the same as the cost of paying rate rebates. In 1980–81, in England, Wales and Scotland, about £270 million were paid in rate rebates. In 1981–82, it is estimated that about £350 million will have been paid. This expenditure reflects the fact that only about two-thirds of those eligible apply for rate rebates. Such expenditure on a home heating rebate scheme would, of course, be additional to the heating additions already paid to supplementary benefit recipients which are currently amounting to over £250 million per year.