§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what steps he is taking to seek to improve the housing stock used by elderly people; if, in particular, he has any plans to seek to improve insulation in houses occupied or intended for occupation by elderly people; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir George YoungThe Government attach importance to improvements in the housing stock in contributing to its objective of helping elderly people to remain living in their own homes. Resources available to housing authorities have been increased by £200 million this year; we expect them to give increasing priority to the renovation of their own stock. Local authorities have been asked to give priority when considering applications for discretionary home improvement grants to those most in need, including elderly people. Under the homes insulation scheme grants are also available for the insulation of loft spaces and associated tanks and pipes, with a higher rate of grant available for the elderly on low incomes.
The present requirements of building regulations for energy efficiency in new housing are being reviewed with the aim of combining a higher standard overall with greater flexibility in the ways in which the requirements can be met. There will be full consultation later this year on any proposals for change.
Elderly people form one of the special needs groups to which priority is given when resources are allocated to housing associations for new build or rehabilitation schemes. Associations provide dwellings for the elderly for rent, and also for sale under leasehold schemes for the elderly, some of which are funded wholly or partly through private finance.