§ 23. Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to reduce the proportion of social security benefit spent on fuel and to implement energy efficiency measures.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is for individuals to decide how to spend their benefit. The Government give valuable assistance with loft insulation through the homes insulation scheme and people on supplementary benefit with less than £500 savings can claim payments for materials for simple draught proofing, hot water tank jackets and minor repairs. The Energy Efficiency Office at the Department of Energy is taking the lead in examining relevant Government programmes to ensure that opportunities to improve thermal efficiency, particulary in low income households, are fully exploited.