To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the 25p weekly payment to pensioners over 80 will be kept as a distinct payment. [110272]

	Energy consumption1 (GWh/y)	Energy expenditure2 (£m/y)	Energy/m23 (kWh/m2/y)	Savings over 1997–984 (percentage)	Energy Efficiency Spend5 (£k/y)
1997–98	182.32	5,218,420	244.96	—	800,000
1998–99	186.82	5,282,774	251.37	-3	265,000
1999–2000	167.08	5,021,175	226.38	8	525,000
2000–01	163.98	4,591,211	223.14	9	321,000
2001–02	149.68	4,983,831	204.06	17	278,000
1 Energy consumption: this is weather-corrected in the usual manner, using annual degree days relative to the 20 year average for 1990–01. The figures are those reported on for the central Government estate campaign, and generally include each Department's main estate plus all agencies, but not NDPBs.
2 Energy expenditure: this is actual spend, and from April 2001, includes the Climate Change Levy.
3 Energy/m2: this variable allows for changes in both weather and estate size on energy consumption. So annual changes will generally reflect efficiency changes.
4 Savings over 1997–98: These have been expressed as percentage savings relative to the first year quoted here, and are based on the figures in the preceding column.
5 Energy efficiency spend: Note that this is not necessarily a good measure of an effective energy efficiency policy. For example, when a new building is commissioned or an existing one refurbished, good design can actually reduce capital costs, eg by avoiding air conditioning. The costs of an effective energy management team may also not be included.

This Department does not hold figures for its NDPBs and is not able to provide this without incurring disproportionate cost.The Energy White Paper, "Our Energy Future—Creating a Low Carbon Economy" made clear the importance the Government attaches to improving energy efficiency in its own estate. This is reflected in several targets. There is currently an interim target of a 1 per cent. per annum on-going reduction in weather-corrected carbon emissions, pending the development of new indicators and targets based on benchmarking the performance of each Department's largest buildings.

I refer the hon. Member to the written answer given to the hon. Member for Bolton, South-East (Dr. Iddon) on 11 April 2003, Official Report, column 471W.