HC Deb 18 January 2001 vol 361 cc293-4W
Mr. Bob Russell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many waste incinerator sites have been identified in the County of Essex; where they are located; and what steps he plans to take to amend his policy on waste to take account of Essex County Council's amendment to the draft Waste Local Plan. [145846]

Mr. Mullin

The draft Essex and Southend Waste Local Plan identifies eight sites for major waste management facilities but does not prescribe what type of facility should be provided at each one. The sites are Rivenhall Airfield, Silver End; Land east of Warren Lane, Stanway; Whitehall Road, Colchester; North Weald Airfield, North Weald Bassett, Epping Forest; Courtauld Road, Basildon; Pitsea Landfill site, Basildon; Rayleigh sub-station, A129/A130, Rayleigh; and Sandon, Chelmsford.

Number of households defined as fuel poor in England in 19961 (Million) Fuel poor households as a percentage of all households in England2
(a) Income including Housing Benefit and Income Support for mortgage interest 4.3 22
(b) Income excluding Housing Benefit and Income Support for mortgage interest 5.3 27
(c) Income excluding housing expenditure 6.8 35
1 Assumes fuel costs include those for non-heating purposes.
2 Total number of households in England in 1996 was 19.6 million.

As would be expected, when housing expenditure is excluded from household income, the overall household income decreases and hence the number of households defined as fuel poor rises.

Fuel poverty is a devolved matter and it is the responsibility of the respective Parliament and Assemblies to comment on the situation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Mr. Alan Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what he estimates to be the reduction in numbers of fuel-poor households since 1996 and the amount of reduction attributed to(a) improved energy efficiency, (b) reduced fuel prices and (c) increased household income. [145764]

Mr. Meacher

Using data from the 1996 English House Condition Survey (EHCS), it was estimated that in 1996 there were either 4.3 million or 5.3 million households in fuel poverty using the definitions at(a) and (b) respectively.

  1. (a) If, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10 per cent. of all income (including Housing Benefit and Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.
  2. (b) If, in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime, it would be required to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income (excluding Housing Benefit and Income Support for Mortgage Interest) on all household fuel use.

As set out in Waste Strategy 2000 (Command 4693) published in May, the Government do not expect incineration with energy recovery to be considered before the opportunities for recycling and composting have been explored. The choice of waste facilities is a matter for local councils to take into consultation with their local communities.