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5 Nov 2009 : Column 1130W—continued
Modelling results from the DECC Energy Model may differ slightly from the results of other DECC analysis. See for example, the analysis for the Renewable Energy Strategy which shows an illustrative mix of renewable technologies for meeting the 2020 RES-Renewable Energy Strategy-target:
The DECC energy projections can be found at:
Fossil Fuels
David T.C. Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what estimate he has made of the level of levies to be placed on fossil fuels in order to fund the proposed renewable heat incentive; and, what assessment has been made of the distributional effect on household incomes of such levies. [296638]
Mr. Kidney: As part of the Renewable Energy Strategy, published in July this year, we provided an estimate of the potential impact of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) levy on consumers.
The RHI subsidy costs are expected to be passed on to consumers of fossil fuels used for heat through price increases on them.
Initial work to estimate the impact of the policy, assuming all costs fall on gas prices, is summarised as follows. These numbers are based on the costs figures presented in the impact assessment which accompanied the Renewable Energy Strategy (RES). The impact assessment set out ranges which reflect different possibilities for providing support for technologies and sectors under the RHI. The upper end of these ranges is used as the central estimate in the overall RES impact assessment.
Based on these assumptions, under our lead scenario in the RES (that in 2020 12 per cent. of heat comes from renewable sources), bill increases in the domestic sector in 2020 are expected to be in the order of 16 to 23 per cent. corresponding to an average domestic bill increase of around £120 to £172.
However, the eventual cost of the RHI and its actual impact on bills will depend on a series of policy decisions which are still to be taken and external variable factors. For example, whether the support will be paid over a short or long period, how we differentiate support across the different technologies, changes in fossil fuel prices, and likely rates of return. The forthcoming consultation on the Renewable Heat Incentive, will be the next step in this process, and be accompanied by a further Regulatory Impact Assessment.
Fuel Poverty
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what progress has been made on measures to reduce fuel poverty among park home residents since 1997. [297497]
Mr. Kidney: It is difficult to reduce the carbon emissions and heating bills of park homes due to the lack of scope for key energy efficiency measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation. Where scope does exist, such as through draught-proofing and high efficiency lights and appliances, assistance is available to park homes residents through schemes such as the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and Warm Front.
Warm Front is currently working in partnership with a gas distributor and a local residents association to enable 61 residents of Elm Tree caravan park in Hartlepool to be connected to the mains gas network. This project meant these homes, previously utilising liquid petroleum gas, coal or forms of electric heating, reduced their likely energy bills and likely carbon consumption. The project considerably reduced the otherwise prohibitive cost that had prevented each park home individually connecting to the gas network.
Warm front will be undertaking a piloting exercise of insulation technologies for park homes. Technologies will be assessed against a variety of criteria, including cost of installation, energy savings and customer satisfaction. Details of the pilot, including the specific technology types and target areas, are currently being finalised.
The fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action, has developed expertise in addressing the problems of treating park homes. Any treatment will, however, require a coordinated response involving the park home residents' association and the site operator.
Free expert advice on practical ways to save energy in the home is also available through the Act on CO2 advice line.
Green Hydrogen
Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what research his Department has (a) undertaken and (b) evaluated on the use of green hydrogen as an alternative to natural gas. [297460]
Mr. Kidney: Hydrogen, unlike natural gas, is not a primary energy source. Like electricity, it is an energy carrier, which requires the use of a primary energy source for its production. Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced using low or zero carbon sources. The Department of Trade and Industry commissioned a study which reported in December 2004-A strategic framework for hydrogen energy in the UK. This examined the circumstances under which it would make sense for the UK to deploy hydrogen, including green hydrogen. It concluded that the main potential application would be as a transport fuel for use in fuel cell powered vehicles. While hydrogen might have some niche applications as a heating fuel-for example, in remote islands with no available alternative fuel and with substantial renewable energy resources-the study concluded that, in general, the energy loss associated with the production of hydrogen would not be justified where the direct conversion of primary sources to heat was feasible. The Government broadly accept that conclusion.
Natural Gas: Storage
Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent estimate he has made of levels of gas storage in the UK; and if he will make a statement. [297761]
Mr. Kidney: National Grid's published figures show that, this week, our storage capacity was around 99 per cent. full.
Wind Power
Dr. Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many wind farms there are in (a) the UK, (b) England, (c) the North East and (d) Tees Valley district. [296339]
Mr. Kidney: The relevant data are set out in the following table:
| Number of schemes | MW | |
| Source: AEA Technology | ||
Wind Power: Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Mr. Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent representations he has received on wind farm planning applications in areas of outstanding natural beauty; and if he will make a statement. [297757]
Mr. Kidney: I have received a recent representation regarding a planning application for a wind farm within an area of outstanding natural beauty. I am unable to comment further on this matter as the application remains subject to the statutory planning process.
The Government's Planning Policy Statement 22 on renewable energy is clear that planning permission for renewable energy projects should be granted only where it can be demonstrated that the objectives of the designation of the area will not be compromised by the development, and that any significant adverse effects are clearly outweighed by the environmental, social and economic benefits.
Home Department
Asylum: Staffordshire
Mr. Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many police officers are planned to be deployed in each basic command unit in the Staffordshire police force area in (a) 2010, (b) 2011 and (c) 2012; [297488]
(2) how many police officers were deployed in each basic command unit of the Staffordshire police force area in (a) 1997, (b) 2001, (c) 2005 and (d) 2009 on the latest date for which figures are available. [297489]
Mr. Hanson: Information on planned deployment is not collected centrally. Decisions about the number of officers, PCSOs-police community support officers-and police staff in each basic command unit and other specialist units is an operational matter for the chief constable.
The available data for the number of police officers deployed are provided in the following table. This information has been collected since April 2002.
Burglary: Crime Prevention
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much was spent from the public purse on measures to reduce numbers of burglaries in each of the last 10 years; and what plans he has for such spending in each of the next three years. [297340]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 2 November 2009]: Burglary reduction is core police business, and as such it is not possible to disaggregate what proportion of the significant investment in the police service over the past decade has been spent on this. The police and partners have experienced significant success over the past decade in bringing overall crime, including burglary, down. According to the British Crime Survey, domestic burglary has fallen by 54 per cent. since 1997.
We have provided additional support to the frontline through specific crime reduction initiatives, such as £250 million in the Crime Reduction Programme between 1999 and 2002, of which £25 million was through the Reducing Burglary Initiative. Most recently we have launched Operation Vigilance and the Safer Homes Action Against Burglary programme, which are part of a £20 million package targeting acquisitive crime such as burglary.
In addition, we are taking actions to manage offenders, including the Prolific and Priority Offender scheme, the Drug Intervention Programme and the adoption nationally of the Integrated Offender Management approach by next spring, are helping to bring down a range of crimes, including burglary.
Spending plans for the next three years are not yet finalised.
Closed Circuit Television
James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding his Department has allocated (a) directly and (b) indirectly via grants to (i) local authorities and (ii) other organisations for the provision of closed circuit television cameras in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the likely level of such funding in (A) 2009-10 and (B) 2010-11. [297146]
Mr. Alan Campbell: Between 1999 and 2003, £170 million of capital funding was made available to local authorities under the Home Office Crime Reduction programme. This resulted in 680 schemes being installed in town centres and other public places. Central funding has been spent on CCTV since 2003 through various programmes such as Communities Against Drugs, the Safer Communities Initiative and the Building Safer Communities Initiative. Central data are not held on how much has been spent or will be spent in future years on CCTV-related activity through area-based grant. ABG funding is non-ringfenced and local authorities can spend it as they see fit to support the delivery of local, regional and national priorities in their area.
Crime Prevention
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent progress has been made by local crime partnerships in (a) Denbighshire and (b) England and Wales; and if he will make a statement. [297338]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 2 November 2009]: The information is as follows:
(a) Denbighshire achieved a 22 per cent. reduction in the recorded crime British Crime Survey (BCS) Comparator during the period 2005-06 to 2007-08.
The latest published crime statistics for 2008-09 show a two per cent. increase in recorded crime BCS comparator (since 2007-08), and the Home Office Crime Team in Wales is working closely to support the Community Safety Partnership (CSP), which is very focused on tackling this increase in crime.
(b) Local partners in Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRPs) in England and CSPs in Wales continue to make a significant contribution to our overall progress in reducing crime.
Since 1997, crime has fallen: all crime as measured by the BCS is down 36 per cent.; domestic burglary is down 54 per cent.; all vehicle-related thefts down 57 per cent.; all household offences down 36 per cent.; all BCS violence down 41 per cent.; and all personal offences down 36 per cent.
The latest published crime statistics for 2008-09 show a seven per cent. decrease overall in recorded crime BCS comparator in England and Wales (since 2007-08).
Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of false burglar alarm call-outs to each police force in each of the last three years. [297339]
Mr. Alan Campbell [holding answer 2 November 2009]: The information requested is not held centrally.
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