(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations enable the Secretary of State to make or arrange for the making of grant for the improvement of energy efficiency in dwellings occupied by persons on low incomes with children, elderly persons on low incomes or persons in receipt of benefit relating to ill health. These Regulations extend to England only. They revoke and re-enact, with changes, in so far as they apply to England, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/1280; the “2000 Regulations”).
Among the changes made by these Regulations are the following —
(a)the qualifying cut-off point in relevant income for households in receipt of Working Tax and Child Tax Credit is increased to £15,050 (regulation 4(1)(e));
(b)all eligible households under these Regulations will be eligible for either gas or oil-fired mains central heating where gas central heating is impractical (regulation 5(1)(j) and 6(b);
(c)the maximum grant available under these Regulations is increased to £2,700, and £4,000 for households to be offered oil central heating (regulation 6);
(d)where assistance has already been received in respect of a dwelling under the 2000 Regulations or these Regulations, it will also be able to apply, if eligible, for further assistance under these new Regulations (regulation 7); and
(e)it is made clear that grant is paid to the administering agency (and not the applicant) regulation 9(4).
Regulation 10 contains revocation and transitional provisions. A person who applied for a grant under the 2000 Regulations may, where the works have not been commenced, have the application dealt with in accordance with these Regulations.