Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, whether he plans to include (a) charities that provide housing and (b) community groups, including village halls, in future Government energy efficiency schemes.

Charities that provide housing could be eligible under the Local Authority Delivery Scheme, provided they meet certain criteria. Moreover, further funding via the Energy Bills Support Scheme will be available to support households not currently in scope. Details will be announced this Autumn.

Charities and non-profit organisations may be also entitled to a reduction in VAT, and exclusion from the main rates of the Climate Change Levy on the energy they use for non-business purposes.

Officials remain in close contact with representatives from the charity sector to monitor the situation and assess how and where additional support can be provided.