§ Mr. ChisholmTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many houses he estimates will be insulated through the New Deal energy efficiency funds; and what will be the expected average change in energy rating. [48964]
§ Mr. MacdonaldUp to 30,000 homes may benefit in the current year. The exact number will depend on the number of New Deal trainees available for energy efficiency work and the type of improvements carried out. The most common package of measures is likely to include draughtproofing and loft, tank and pipe insulation. The improvement in energy ratings will vary between houses. A typical three-bedroom semi-detached house should see an increase in its Standard Assessment Procedure rating of 5 and in its National Home Energy Rating of 0.5 as a result of this package.