§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many homes have benefited from the home energy efficiency scheme in Shrewsbury and Atcham; and if he will make a statement. [156511]
13W
§ Mr. MeacherThe number of households in Shrewsbury and Atcham benefiting from the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) since its introduction in 1991 is 5,219. Of this figure, 168 households have received measures since the introduction of new HEES.
The new HEES for England was launched on 1 June 2000. It replaced the more basic scheme, which had operated since 1991, providing low income and disabled households with a single insulation improvement such as window and door draught-proofing.
New HEES provides packages of insulation and heating measures, linked to the condition of the property and the type of householder. To provide thee packages the grant maximum has been raised from the previous £315 to up to £2,000 in the case of low-income households aged 60 years or more. The latter may also receive a package of basic security measures, funded through the Home Office 'Locks For Pensioners' initiative, if they live in an area experiencing above the national average burglary rate for England.
Two regional scheme managers manage the scheme. They are responsible for marketing the scheme and surveying homes to identify the improvements required. Once these are agreed with the householder, a works order is placed with local contractors.