§ Bob SpinkTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make it his policy further to promote energy efficiency in(a) new buildings and (b) existing buildings. [78468]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Government have a range of policies for promoting energy efficiency of both existing and new buildings. Details of current and proposed fiscal policies are set out in the Budget 2002 report. In Budget 2002 the Government announced that it would consider ways in which economic instruments might be used to improve household energy efficiency. The Treasury and DEFRA published a joint consultation document, "Economic Instruments To Improve Household Energy Efficiency", in July 2002. The consultation period ended on 8 October 2002. The Government is currently considering the responses to that consultation.
The Climate Change Levy introduced in April 2001 provides an incentive to all businesses and the public sector to improve their energy efficiency in all areas including their building stock.
The Government's Climate Change Programme sets out our other measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors of the economy.