§ Mr. SteinbergTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the schemes funded by his Department relating to energy conservation for retirement pensioners; and what his proposals are in respect of these schemes. [13659]
§ Mr. ClappisonOur home energy efficiency scheme provides grants for basic home insulation and energy advice for householders aged 60 or over, as well as householders receiving income-related benefits or certain disability allowances. More than 2 million grants under this well-regarded scheme have increased comfort and improved energy efficiency for vulnerable people; £75 million has been allocated for 1997–98, an increase of 3 per cent. on 1996–97, and later this year a revised, improved scheme will be launched. A wider range of energy efficiency measures will be available, giving greater benefits because more appropriate improvements can be offered to individual homes.
In addition, we are paying the Energy Saving Trust grant towards a pilot scheme to demonstrate how local authorities and private finance providers in partnership can help pensioners to make energy efficient improvements to their homes.