§ Sue DoughtyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total cost to the Treasury will be(a) at the outset of its introduction and (b) projected in the next three years of moneys redirected from the Climate Change Levy revenues to the Carbon Trust, broken down into (i) the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme, (ii) the Environment and Energy Helpline, (iii) Administration of the Enhanced Capital Allowance Scheme for investments in energy-saving technologies, (iv) the Low Carbon Innovation Programme and (v) other programmes or schemes. [53737]
§ Mr. MeacherI have been asked to reply.
The Carbon Trust was set up in April 2001 by the UK Government to help UK business and public sectors to move towards a sustainable, low carbon economy while maintaining business competitiveness. The Carbon Trust has initial allocations of around £31 million per year of climate change levy (CCL) receipts for its first three years.
The allocation of expenditure by the Carbon Trust between its activities is a matter for the Carbon Trust, subject to ministerial approval of its overall programme. However, I understand that the Carbon Trust expects to allocate around £75 million to the Low Carbon Innovation Programme over three years, subject to annual approval.
In addition the trust expects to allocate approximately £1.5 million of CCL receipts this financial year to manage, develop and promote the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme which the trust is soon to take over. The remainder of the Carbon Trust CCL receipts will be used to support the development and enhancement of its other programmes, including the Energy Efficiency Best Practice programme, for which it will receive separate funding from DEFRA.
The Carbon Trust will he regularly assessing the effectiveness of its programmes and expects to revisit the funding allocations between its activities under review.