HC Deb 28 June 1999 vol 334 cc24-6W
Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if additional money beyond the £300 million so far allocated to the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme will be required to provide the average grant to the number of homes given in his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 88, and to make grants at equivalent levels in Scotland and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [88151]

Mr. Meale

The estimated average grants under the proposed New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) are based on the use of seven year operating leases to fund the installation of central heating systems under New HEES Plus. They include the full cost of the lease over the term.

The resources allocated to this area cover the estimated number of properties improved through New HEES and also the separate programmes in Scotland and Wales in 2000–01 and 2001–02, including the operating lease charges during these years.

The nature of the separate programmes in Scotland and Wales is a matter for the Parliament and the Assembly respectively.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, columns 88–89, what obligation will there be under the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme to target the most vulnerable households. [88154]

Mr. Meale

The objective of the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme is to target the most vulnerable households, and this will be carried through the operation of the scheme and the specification for work set for scheme managers.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, columns 88–89, if the figures for average value of grant-assisted work given there included administrative costs. [88150]

Mr. Meale

They do not include administrative costs incurred by scheme managers but include those incurred by installers.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 87, what value of grant-assisted work was assumed in his model to calculate the reduced heating costs for an average three bedroom semi-detached house. [88155]

Mr. Meale

Under the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), the value of the work on each individual property will be up to £700 in the case of New HEES, and up to £1,800 with New HEES Plus, depending on the energy efficiency of the property prior to improvement.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 May 1999,Official Report, column 87, what is the basis for his statement that New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Plus will substantially move households out of fuel poverty. [88157]

Mr. Meale

Our view that the New Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) and New HEES Plus will substantially move households out of fuel poverty is based on a careful assessment of the fuel cost savings which householders will derive from the comprehensive packages of assistance provided.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what estimate he has made of the expenditure required (i) per household and (ii) for all households in England, to achieve a minimum SAP rating of 30, and a minimum SAP increase in houses included for treatment of 10 points, in all homes with a current SAP rating of (a) less than 10, (b) less than 20, and (c) less than 30. [88156]

Mr. Meale

Estimates of the expenditure required were published in the English House Condition Survey 1991, Energy Report, SO 1996. (Page 225, Table 19.4). A similar analysis using data from the 1996 English House Condition Survey is planned.