Warm Front Programme (Hansard, 27 March 2003)

§ Alan Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent changes have been made to leasing arrangements in the provision of central heating systems through the Warm Front programme; and what provision is made for service and maintenance work to these installations. [99618]

§ Mr. Morley
New central heating systems installed under Warm Front until November 2002 were provided via a seven year lease arrangement. A decision was taken to move away from using the leasing arrangements from December 2002 and new systems are now purchased outright.
The responsibility for maintenance and service of central heating systems bought under a lease agreement lies with the scheme managers for Warm Front, TXU Warm Front Ltd. and Eaga Partnership. The responsibility for the systems that are bought outright lies with the scheme managers for the first year.

§ Mr. Hepburn
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what further measures are planned to raise public awareness of the Warm Front Programme; [103563]
(2) what measures have been introduced to ensure the Warm Front Programme helps the people most vulnerable to cold-related ill heath; [103564]
(3) what other measures are being taken besides the Warm Front Programme to tackle fuel poverty. [103562]

§ Mr. Morley
The Government's main programme for tackling fuel poverty in the private sector in England is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), now marketed as The Warm Front Team. Warm Front provides energy advice, insulation and heating measures depending upon the needs of the householder and the property type, to some of the most vulnerable members of society.
The two scheme managers, TXU Warm Front Ltd and Eaga Partnership, carry out extensive marketing to promote the scheme. As well as the more traditional forms of advertising they work with organisations including local authorities, health visitors and local 314W charities. The scheme managers work to co-ordinate these efforts to ensure maximum awareness of the scheme.
A number of other Government policies will help tackle fuel poverty. The First Annual Progress Report on the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy, published on 4 March, provides an update on those policies. A copy is available in the Library.