§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many households in homes heated by community heating schemes are in fuel poverty; and if such households will be eligible to benefit from the Affordable Warmth Programme. [116676]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 30 March 2000]: The present estimates of the number of fuel poor households in England are based on data from the English House Condition Survey. Unfortunately it is not possible to identify the number of households heated by community heating schemes who are also suffering from fuel poverty.
I can confirm that households heated through community heating schemes will be able to benefit from the Affordable Warmth Programme announced by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Capital allowances will be made available to lessors on de-mountable heat exchangers, radiators and heating controls installed inside dwellings under the Programme. 484W Lessors will be able to write off 25 per cent. of the cost of this equipment each year on the reducing balance basis against their taxable income, provided their expenditure is incurred by 31 December 2007.
§ Mr. Don FosterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how frequently he intends to monitor the number of households in England which are in fuel poverty. [116677]
§ Mr. Meacher[holding answer 30 March 2000]: The present estimates of the number of fuel poor households in England are based on data from the English House Condition Survey which is carried out quinquennially. The Ministerial Group on Fuel Poverty is looking at how progress in tackling fuel poverty should be monitored in the future, and will consider whether estimates can be made available more frequently. This will form part of the overall strategy which the group aims to publish later this year.