Energy: Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Lord Beaumont of Whitley
asked Her Majesty's Government:

What estimate they have made of the extent to which demand for domestic grants under the low carbon buildings programme is likely to exceed supply in the next two financial years. [HL2465]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Truscott)
The low carbon buildings programme has been successful in demonstrating the potential of microgeneration technologies in the domestic setting. We have therefore seen an increase in the willingness of householders to install microgeneration technologies.

In the Budget 2007, it was announced that a further £6 million will be made available to the household stream, taking the total available for householders to more than £18 million.

We aim to continue funding until June 2008, by which time some of our wider measures to promote microgeneration should be taking hold.

Lord Beaumont of Whitley
asked Her Majesty's Government:

At what level they intend to limit monthly grant allocations under stream 1 of the low carbon buildings programme over each of the next two financial years. [HL2466]

Lord Truscott
In the Budget 2007, it was announced that a further £6 million will be made available to the household stream of the low carbon buildings programme, taking the total available for householders to more than £18 million.

Before deciding how to make best use of the extra funding, the household stream is to be suspended for the monthly allocation in April so that it can be reshaped. Proposals will be brought forward in May.