§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how much of the grant aid provided by local authorities and the Government for housing improvement has been paid in respect of work performed by unregistered traders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe administration of the home improvement grant system is a matter for individual local authorities. Information is not available centrally about the proportion of builders carrying out grant-aided work who are registered for VAT.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he is having discussions with local authorities and other interested parties regarding payments of housing improvement grants to unregistered traders; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungWe are at present reviewing the home improvement grant system. As part of that review we are looking at ways of ensuring value for money, and preventing abuse of the grant system. We have consulted the local authority associations and received representations from the building industry on these issues. We are giving careful consideration to their views.