Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Barker of Battle and Iain Stewart

Thursday 27th February 2014 Commons Chamber

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

T5. The Minister will recall visiting my constituency a couple of years ago to look at a green deal project to make houses on the Lakes estate more energy efficient. Will he update me on how many families were able to benefit from the scheme?

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

I cannot give my hon. Friend the figure off the top of my head, but what I saw in his constituency, and what he has championed, is at the forefront of what we want to see: energy efficiency measures that genuinely improve not just the fabric of the building but the community, living standards and the comfort of people there—as well as driving down energy bills.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Barker of Battle and Iain Stewart

Thursday 6th June 2013 Commons Chamber

[Iain Stewart (Milton Keynes South) (Con)]

17. When he next plans to visit home energy efficiency schemes in Milton Keynes.

[The Minister of State, Department of Energy and Climate Change (Gregory Barker)]

I was delighted to visit Milton Keynes in July last year, when I was pleased to launch new guidance for local authorities under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 and to visit, with my hon. Friend, the Lakes estate retrofit project, which is improving homes and cutting energy bills for his constituents.

[Iain Stewart]

As part of the pioneer places project in Milton Keynes, the National Energy Foundation has engaged with 30 local traders to promote the benefits of becoming green deal installers. What plans does my right hon. Friend have to roll out that scheme nationally?

[Gregory Barker]

My hon. Friend has done a huge amount in the Milton Keynes area to work with small and medium-sized enterprises and traders in the supply chain. Nationally, we have provided more than £2 million to support the training of 1,000 go-early green deal assessors and 1,000 advisers as part of our support for the developing market. Since last autumn, DECC has organised a series of 12 roadshows, which have reached more than 1,600 companies across the country. My team has worked most recently with Energy UK to deliver a further regional roadshow programme. It is early days for the green deal, but the prospects are exciting.