§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many horticulture firms have(a) applied for and (b) received support from the Climate Change Levy Energy Efficiency Fund. [142625]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 14 December 2000]: As announced in Spending Review 2000, energy efficiency funding from the climate change levy will be administered by a business led, not for profit, limited companyߞthe Carbon Trust, which is currently being set up through the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 12 December 2000,Official Report, column 118W, on the Climate Change Levy, how many small and medium enterprises are covered by the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations. [1430771
§ Mr. TimmsApproximately 20 per cent. of the sites covered by the Pollution Prevention and Control Part A regulations are operated by small and medium sized enterprises. However, significantly more small and medium sized enterprises will be entitled to climate change levy rebates as the size thresholds in the regulations—other than those thresholds relating to combustion plant—will not apply for this purpose.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what relief from the Climate Change Levy is available for(a) vehicle manufacturers and (b) brewers in the UK; and in how many cases relief has been granted. [143075]
§ Mr. TimmsSignificant parts of these sectors will be entitled to 80 per cent. CCL rebates under negotiated agreements and applications are currently being processed. As with other sectors, vehicle manufacturers and brewers will also be able to benefit from the NICs rebate, the exemptions for renewables and Combined Heat and Power, support for energy efficiency spending and Enhanced Capital Allowances for energy saving investments.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the amount of climate change levy revenue which will be forgone as a result of agreements with business sectors or individual firms. [143073]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Government expects that offering an 80 per cent. discount on the climate change levy to firms which sign up to demanding negotiated agreements will save those sectors £360 million in 2001–02.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of the climate change levy for the china clay industry. [142486]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 13 December 2000]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 12 December 2000, Official Report, column 117W.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the cost of the introduction of the climate change levy for the United Kingdom horticulture industry. [142620]
82W
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 14 December 2000]: The climate change levy will raise an estimated £1 billion in its first year, all of which will be recycled to business via a 0.3 percentage point cut in employers' National Insurance Contributions and £150 million of spending on energy efficiency. We expect the levy to be broadly neutral between services and manufacturing. The effect on any specific business, sector or region will depend on a number of factors, including their future energy consumption, the level of employment, eligibility for discounts, use of renewable or combined heat and power energy, and take up of enhanced capital allowances. In recognition of the unique position of the UK horticulture sector, a special package of measures—including a 50 per cent. discount on levy payments—was announced in Budget 2000.
§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the effect of the reduction in public sector national insurance contributions resulting from the introduction of the climate change levy on the level of public expenditure. [142964]
§ Mr. Timms[holding answer 15 December 2000]: The impact of the introduction of the climate change levy package in April 2001 is broadly neutral for both the public and private sectors.