Fuel poverty
40. In our last report on the Departmental Report
2003 we observed that Defra was on track to meet its PSA target
7 (2002), to "reduce fuel poverty among vulnerable households
by improving the energy efficiency of 600,000 homes between 2001
and 2004".[83] However,
we noted that the target was flawed,[84]
and lacked focus. It fell short of the underpinning commitment
made in the UK fuel poverty strategy 2001 to end fuel poverty
for vulnerable households by 2010.[85]
Defra agreed that the target would be reviewed in the next spending
review.
41. Again, in his evidence to this inquiry, the permanent
secretary acknowledged that the existing PSA target was flawed.[86]
He said "what we are looking for
is a target that
addresses the requirement as [the Committee] described it a while
ago: moving towards removing fuel-poor, vulnerable households
by the year 2010".[87]
In the spending review announced on 12 July 2004, Defra's PSA
target 7 is to "eliminate fuel poverty in vulnerable households
in England by 2010 in line with the Government's fuel poverty
strategy objective".[88]
We welcome the announcement made in the 2004 spending review
of a PSA target relating to fuel poverty which is geared to ending
the problem. We recommend that in its next Departmental Report
Defra set out in detail the measures it will take to meet the
new target.
Air quality
42. PSA target 8 (2002) relates to improving air
quality by meeting national air quality strategy objectives for
a number of pollutants. The target is shared with the Department
for Transport. The Departmental Report records slippage against
the target, primarily in relation to nitrogen dioxide (NO2)
and larger particles (PM10).[89]
The report says that modelling suggests that "with present
policies and technologies it is questionable whether the targets
will be achieved by the relevant dates".[90]
43. In response Defra and the Department for Transport
"are considering what additional measures may be practicable
to move towards closing the gap".[91]
In 2004-05 the Departments are reviewing the air quality strategy,
the 10 year plan for transport, and the climate change programme.
The permanent secretary told us that "we need to do more
to achieve the nitrogen dioxide, ozone and particles targets".[92]
He pointed to a number of steps being taken:
- local authorities have been
asked to develop air quality action plans for local air quality
hot spots ... local traffic management plans can play a powerful
role
- the Department for Transport [is] looking again
over the summer at the 10 year plan [for transport] and air quality
will have its role in that
- at European level there are issues around reduction
of vehicle emissions with future design and indeed combustion
plan emissions.[93]
44. As ever we are concerned that any review of policies
might lead the Government to be tempted to set lower, more achievable,
targets, notwithstanding the permanent secretary's assurance that
"I do not see any sign of anyone looking to relax the targets".[94]
We recommend that the Department ensure that its PSA target
relating to air quality is maintained at its existing challenging
level. We look forward to the exposition in the next Departmental
Report of what the Government will do to ensure that its air quality
PSA target is achieved.
55 Departmental Report 2004, p 258 Back
56
Departmental Report 2004, p 258 Back
57
Q64 Back
58
"New inquiry into Climate Change: Looking forward",
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee press release, 17
June 2004; available at www.parliament.uk Back
59
Departmental Report 2004, p 258 Back
60
Departmental Report 2004, pp 63, 65, 258 Back
61
HC (2001-02) 969, para 28 Back
62
Q87 Back
63
A word often used by the permanent secretary, to indicate that
the odds were against achieving a particular challenge or target
with a published timetable. Back
64
Q87 Back
65
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Fourteenth Report
of 2003-04, Sites of Special Scientific Interest: Conserving
the Jewels of England's Natural Heritage, HC 475 Back
66
HC (2003-04) 475, summary and para 9 Back
67
Departmental Report 2004, p 259 Back
68
Departmental Report 2004, p 83 Back
69
Q104 Back
70
Rural Delivery Review: A report on the delivery of government
policies in rural England, Christopher Haskins, October 2003;
available at www.defra.gov.uk Back
71
Q107 Back
72
Departmental Report 2004, p 84 Back
73
Our Countryside: The Future-A Fair Deal for Rural England,
Cm 4909, November 2000 Back
74
For example: "Help us shape Defra's rural strategy, Alun
Michael tells Rural Affairs Forum for England", Defra press
release 467/03, 8 November 2003 Back
75
Departmental Report 2004, p 251 Back
76
Departmental Report 2004, p 55 Back
77
Departmental Report 2004, p 259 Back
78
Q94 Back
79
Q93 Back
80
Departmental Report 2004, p 259 Back
81
Departmental Report 2004, p 53 Back
82 "New
inquiry into waste policy and the Landfill Directive", Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs Committee press release, 28 June 2004;
available at www.parliament.uk Back
83
Departmental Report 2004, p 259 Back
84
HC (2002-03) 832, para 17 Back
85
Department of Trade and Industry, The UK Fuel Poverty Strategy,
November 2001, executive summary; available at www.dti.gov.uk/energy/ Back
86
Q82 Back
87
Q82 Back
88
HM Treasury, 2004 Spending Review, Public Service Agreements
2005-2008, Chapter 13: Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs; available at www.hm-treasury.gov.uk. The PSA target is
joint with the Department for Trade and Industry. Back
89
Departmental Report 2004, p 260 Back
90
Departmental Report 2004, p 50 Back
91
Departmental Report 2004, p 51 Back
92
Q78 Back
93
Q78 Back
94
Q78 Back