§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to introduce the new homes insulation scheme announced by the then Minister for Housing and Construction, the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Mr. Patten) on 19 December 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveA new homes insulation scheme has today been laid before Parliament. Nearly 90 per cent. of124W accessible loft spaces are now insulated and in future the available resources need to be concentrated on those most in need of assistance with loft insulation works. The new scheme therefore withdraws the rate of grant at 66 per cent. available to eligible householders in general but extends the availability of 90 per cent. grants to all eligible householders who are in receipt of housing benefit, supplementary benefit—income support from April 1988 —or family income supplement—family credit from April 1988. The grant available will be 90 per cent. of the 125W costs of work up to a ceiling of £137, which is a substantial increase over the maximum grant previously available. The new scheme applies to England, Scotland and Wales and will come into effect on 1 February 1988.