§ The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Margaret Beckett)The Government published yesterday "Energy Efficiency—The Government's Plan for Action". This fulfils our commitment in the February 2003 energy White Paper to set out our delivery plan for the energy efficiency strategy contained in the White Paper. Copies of the plan were placed in the House Libraries yesterday.
In the document "Energy Efficiency—The Government's Plan for Action", I have designated an energy efficiency aim in accordance with the duty set out in section 2(1) of the Sustainable Energy Act 2003; such aim relates to the energy efficiency of residential accommodation in England and is compatible with Community obligations and any another international obligations of the United Kingdom.
The Government yesterday also published the first annual report on the energy White Paper, the Strategy for Combined Heat and Power to 2010, and the second fuel poverty annual report. Copies of these documents were also placed in the House Libraries yesterday.
In her written statement to the House of Commons on 3 February 2004, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry said that the Government envisaged publication of the fuel poverty implementation plan with the above documents. The Government now envisage publication of the fuel poverty implementation plan in the summer.