To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information his Department holds on the geographical distribution of spending under the energy efficiency commitment. (142825)

I have been asked to reply.

For the first phase of the Energy Efficiency Commitment 2002 to 2005 (EEC1) the regulator, Ofgem, which is responsible for administering the scheme, monitored the delivery of energy suppliers' schemes across England, Scotland and Wales. Under EEC1, 86 per cent. of energy savings were delivered in England and 7 per cent. each in Scotland and Wales.

Information is not available on EEC expenditure, which is a matter for the energy suppliers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps have been taken to help individual homeowners to increase the energy efficiency of their homes; and what steps are being taken to incentivise such actions. (144207)

I have been asked to reply.

The Warm Front scheme aims to improve energy efficiency in households in England through the provision of energy efficiency and heating measures to eligible households. Since its inception in 2000, Warm Front has assisted more than 1.4 million vulnerable households. Funding for the scheme for the 2005-08 period is over £800 million.

The Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) is an obligation on electricity and gas suppliers to meet targets for the promotion of improvements in household energy efficiency in Britain. During the first phase of the EEC (2002-05), suppliers installed a range of measures which helped an estimated 40 million households to improve their energy efficiency.

DEFRA funds the Energy Saving Trust (EST) for its work on promoting energy efficiency in the domestic sector through advertising programmes, advice centres and the endorsement of energy-saving products. The Trust also encourages local authorities to develop energy efficiency strategies.

DEFRA has also launched an online calculator that enables people to work out their carbon footprint. The calculator is part of DEFRA’s “Act on CO₂” campaign which aims to make people aware of the link between their own everyday behaviour and climate change. The calculator covers three sections—home energy, appliances and personal transport—and can be used for an individual or a whole household. It also provides tailored recommendations through a personalised action plan, about what steps users can take to cut their own emissions.

DEFRA’s Guide to Greener Living, and EST’s accreditation of products under the “Energy Saving Recommended” label, also signpost consumers to products that save the most energy.