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The Scottish Executive's Central Heating Programme and the Warm Deal Annual Report 2003-04: BENEFITS FROM HOME ENERGY EFFICIENCY SCHEMES IN SCOTLAND 2003-04: A REPORT BY THE SCOTTISH EXECUTIVE
Minister's foreword
This is the third annual report from the Scottish Executive setting out the benefits flowing from the Central Heating Programme in Scotland in 2003-04 and is the fifth report on the benefits of Warm Deal. The two Programmes are central to our aim of ensuring that every household in Scotland has a warm, dry and affordable home.
In addition to the benefits individuals derive from the Programmes, the environment also benefits. The Central Heating and Warm Deal Programmes are contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gases and this report shows that carbon dioxide has been reduced by 70,000 tonnes.
THE CENTRAL HEATING PROGRAMME
This was the third year of the Central Heating Programme and during 2003-04 a record number of householders were able to benefit from free central heating. Much has been achieved in the earlier two years and we continue to build on earlier successes. The achievements for the period covered by this report include:
- installing central heating and insulation in 16,788 houses;
- annual average savings on fuel bills of over £376 for those aged 60 and over in the private sector and savings of over £324 for local authority and housing association tenants;
- reducing CO 2 emissions by 45,177 tonnes, tackling the problem of climate change; and
- an increase in the average NHER (National Home Energy Rating) of properties from 3.5 to 6.4.
It is greatly encouraging to report on the progress that is being made in helping the most vulnerable in our society. The benefits flowing from the Programme ensure homes are much warmer, fuel bills are lower and, because there are fewer damp houses, threats to health from exposure to cold and damp conditions are reduced. This was the third and final year for local authorities to ensure that all their houses were provided with central heating. All tenants who agreed to the installation of these measures had central heating installed by the end of March. That part of the Programme has now been successfully completed and I acknowledge the help, co-operation and effort of all those local authorities who made this happen. For the first time, funding of £2.1 million was also made available to local authorities to upgrade partial systems to full central heating systems.
To illustrate the real difference we have made to people's lives through the introduction of the Programme, there are four case studies contained in this report.
THE WARM DEAL PROGRAMME
The Warm Deal Programme was extended this year to provide local authorities with additional scope and flexibility as to how they wished to take forward the scheme. In addition to the normal Warm Deal insulation measures, local authorities were offered the opportunity to use Warm Deal funds for upgrading partial central heating systems or for other innovative measures. Achievements include:
- insulating 27,520 homes last year, bringing the total number of dwellings improved under the Warm Deal since it began in Scotland in July 1999 to almost 197,000;
- replacing 487 partial heating systems with full house heating;
- a range of innovative measures including converting electrically heated properties to gas central heating, and external wall insulation;
- reductions in annual fuel bills this year ranging from £99 for tenants of private landlords to £26 for tenants of housing associations;
- reducing emissions of CO 2 by 24,128 tonnes, making a valuable contribution towards the Executive's commitment to reducing climate changing emissions; and
- providing 141 long-term unemployed people under the New Deal with quality work experience and training through installing the Warm Deal home insulation measures.
LOOKING FORWARD
These Programmes are undoubtedly worthwhile investments and make a real difference not only in terms of comfort but also to health. We shall continue to devote substantial resources to ensure continued improvement in the lives of those with greatest needs.
In the private sector, the Central Heating Programme will be expanded to enable those aged 80 or over to upgrade or replace partial or inefficient heating systems. It is expected that 2,000 householders will benefit from this part of the Programme in addition to the 10,000 planned installations under the main part of the Programme. To achieve this for the two years beginning 2004-05, the Scottish Executive will route invest in the region of £42 million a year through Eaga.
We expect housing associations to spend around £2 million in 2004-05 to install central heating in around 700 homes. They are committed to the completion of this part of the Programme by December 2004. In addition 2004-05 will be the first year when Housing Associations will be funded to upgrade partial systems to full central heating.
Glasgow's Central Heating Programme is being resourced from additional funding as part of the stock transfer arrangements. Because of the numbers involved Glasgow Housing Association is not due to complete its part of the Programme until 2007.
In 2004-05 the Warm Deal Programme is undergoing further change to provide more flexibility for local authorities to meet the needs of residents in their areas. For the first time local authorities will be provided with funding to enable those in the private sector, who are in fuel poverty, to receive assistance. For their own stock, local authorities will be offered funding along the same lines as in 2003-04.
I am grateful to all those who have contributed to the success of the Central Heating and Warm Deal Programmes in 2003-04: Eaga, local authorities and housing associations. The benefits are there for all to see and I am extremely proud of this important area of the Scottish Executive's work.
JOHANN LAMONT
DEPUTY MINISTER FOR COMMUNITIES
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