§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the average length of time taken to process a claim by a network installer under the Government's home energy efficiency scheme; and what is the accepted performance target for such work.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryA proportion of cases are subject to technical monitoring and payment is only made once work has been found to reach the required standards. My Department's contract with the Energy Action Grants Agency—EAGA—requires it for at least 90 per cent. of all cases to approve valid claims or reject incorrect claims for grant money made by a network installer under the home energy efficiency scheme within 15 working days of receipt. The EAGA is currently meeting this target.
§ Mr. BarronTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what steps he has taken to ensure that arrangements under the home energy efficiency scheme are satisfactory and that adequate resources are being made available for both network installers and contractors to undertake their work.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryInitial experience in operating the scheme has confirmed that it meets a real need and is38W being well received. The changes to HEES that I recently announced will further promote standards and protect clients. I am satisfied that the funding available is adequate to treat some 200,000 homes in the current financial year.