§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to increase spending on energy efficiency and renewable energy; and if she will make a statement [103307]
§ Mr. MorleyIn 2003–4 the total spending available from Defra to support energy efficiency will be £268,042,000.
This includes £33,500,000 for The Carbon Trust, £22,487,000 for the Energy Saving Trust and £22,055,000 for the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme. In spite of heavy pressures on Defra's overall spending, these budgets remain broadly unchanged from last year reflecting the importance we attach to energy efficiency following the Energy White Paper. In addition, over £34,000,000 of capital grants and development support are available under the Community Energy programme. The budget for fuel poverty will be £156,000,000. No decisions have yet been taken about spending levels in future years.
The Government have recently increased support for renewable energy by £60,000,000. Over the next four years, the Government plan to provide nearly £350,000,000 in direct support, mainly in the form of capital grants. Future increases in funding have not yet been decided.