To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the number of (a) people able to carry out insulation work in winter 2008-09 and (b) council-owned or housing association properties eligible for insulation or pipe lagging work under the energy efficiency and household insulation scheme announced in September. (226530)

We are working closely with energy suppliers and the insulation industry to maximise insulation activity under the carbon emissions reduction target (CERT) this winter. There are now some 4,000 people able to carry out insulation work, plus support staff—an increase of almost 500 staff since April 2008.

3.9 million (reported April 2006) local authority and registered social landlord households are eligible to benefit from energy supplier action under CERT; a significant number have already been treated through this and the Decent Homes programme. It is up to landlords to proactively work with energy suppliers to find cost-effective energy saving opportunities which can benefit their tenants.