HC Deb 07 March 1996 vol 273 cc303-4W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what estimates he has made of(a) the loss to business and (b) the number of redundancies from the reduction in funding to the home energy efficiency scheme. [19265]

Mr. Robert B. Jones

The changes to the home energy efficiency scheme will create opportunities for businesses involved in it. Householders aged over 60 who are not on benefit will be entitled to a substantial discount. There is no reason why the number of installations should not be the same as in the previous year if installers market the scheme properly.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what consultation she held with businesses before the decision to reduce Government funding for the home energy efficiency scheme. [19266]

Mr. Jones

Public expenditure decisions are not discussed before the Chancellor's Budget statement to the House.

Mr. Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the level of Government funding of the home energy efficiency scheme in each year since its starting date; and if he will give the figures for 1996–97 and 1997–98, in real terms and as a percentage change from the previous year. [19267]

Mr. Jones

The information requested is as follows. The figures show that funding for the home energy efficiency scheme for the next financial year will be 280 per cent. more than in 1991–92, its first full year of operation. This increase can be matched by few if any other programmes.

Year Expenditure (£ million) Percentage change
1990–911 1 n/a
1991–92 26 n/a
1992–93 34 +B;31
1993–94 42 +24
1994–95 83 +98
1995–96 2106 +28
1996–97 373 -31
1997–98 475 +3
1 From 1 January.
2 Estimated.
3 Allocated.
4 Planned.

Taking 1995–96 as the base year, and taking inflation as 3 per cent., the allocation for 1996–97 and the planned allocation for 1997–98 are equivalent in real terms to £71 million.