Memorandum submitted by HM Treasury
The Government continues to evaluate all ways
to stimulate the environmental efficiency of housing, including
the potential role of fiscal incentives. As you will readily understand
it would be unwise to commit public money to these schemes unless
they can be shown to deliver environmental goals that could not
be achieved in other ways, such as through regulation and education.
It is also necessary to take account of wider social and economic
factors when considering the use of fiscal schemes and make sure
that these schemes are proportionate from a regulatory point of
view and do not impose a high administrative burden on Government
agencies.
The Treasury continues to work within Government
to ensure that environmental goals are met in the more efficient
way for the UK economy as a whole. Decisions on fiscal measures
are taken by the Treasury as part of the budget process.
John Healey MP
Financial Secretary
HM Treasury
February 2006
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