To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of the operation of sections (i) 1 and (ii) 2 of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000; what recent discussions he has had with (A) the Chancellor of the Exchequer and (B) other Ministerial colleagues on the effectiveness of the operation of the Act; what recent representations he has received on the operation of the Act; and if he will make a statement. (300810)

As required by section 2 of the Warm Homes and Energy Conservation Act 2000, the Secretary of State published a strategy for reducing fuel poverty in 2001. The Government’s latest evaluation of its progress towards the targets is contained in the Strategy was published on 21 October 2009. A copy of that document along with Annual Report on Fuel Poverty Statistics have been placed in the House Library and can also be found on the website of the Department of Energy and Climate Change at:

http://www.decc.gov.uk/default.aspx

The Department is undertaking Research into the causes of fuel poverty.

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has regular meetings with my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer and other colleagues on a wide range of topics.

On 30 July this year, the Court of Appeal dismissed an appeal by Friends of the Earth and Age UK and upheld the decision of the hon. Mr. Justice McCombe that the Secretary of State for DECC is fulfilling his duties under the 2000 Act in respect of tackling fuel poverty. DECC has also recently received correspondence from the Association for the Conservation of Energy requesting information on fuel poverty data.