To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion on average of the costs of the installation of a £700 boiler through the Warm Front initiative he would expect (a) the scheme and (b) the householder to pay. (113696)

[holding answer 10 January 2007]: The Warm Front Scheme provides a range of energy efficiency measures to qualifying households. A grant maxima applies for each household; £2,700, but rising to £4,000 where an oil fired central heating system is recommended.

On average, 89 per cent. of applicants receiving work on the Scheme will have their work fully funded with a contribution to the costs being required for the remaining 11 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (1) what checks are made on the labour charges of Warm Front contractors; (113697)

[holding answer 10 January 2007]: The Warm Front Scheme Manager, Eaga Partnership, is responsible for the appointment of installers to work on the Scheme.

Installers are appointed to work on Warm Front via a competitive tendering process. This also includes consideration of installers’ technical competence, qualifications, track record and financial probity, alongside the price quoted to install energy efficiency measures.

Once appointed, the installers work to competitive harmonised prices that are set by Warm Front for different geographical areas. A labour rate is set for heating work as well as a rate, per property type, for insulation. Again, that rate can differ from area to area. Labour charges are reviewed annually to ensure best value for the Scheme.

My Department has also commissioned independent work to review the overall cost of the installation of measures under the Scheme.

The average proportion of a Warm Front grant spent on labour costs in the last 12 months was 66 per cent.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who audits the Warm Front initiative on behalf of his Department; and when an audit last took place. (113700)

[holding answer 10 January 2007]: DEFRA employs a firm of Independent Quality Assessors, White Young Green, to carry out a periodic series of assessments of the Warm Front Scheme. The most recent audit was carried out in late 2006 and the report is being finalised prior to submission to the Department.

White Young Green also carries out work to review specific elements of the Scheme as required.

The Warm Front Scheme Manager employs Price Waterhouse Coopers, as independent financial auditors, to review the Scheme on a six-monthly basis. The most recent audit was completed for the period ending 30 September 2006.

In addition, the Department can carry out internal audits of the Scheme as required. The latest was completed in 2006.