SP Paper 36
EET/S4/11/R4
4th Report, 2011 (Session 4)
Subordinate Legislation
Remit and membership
Remit:
The remit of the Committee is to consider and report on the Scottish economy, enterprise, energy, tourism and renewables and all other matters within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth apart from those covered by the remit of the Local Government and Regeneration Committee and matters relating to the Cities Strategy falling within the responsibility of the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Cities Strategy.
Membership:
Chic Brodie
Gavin Brown (Convener)
Rhoda Grant
Patrick Harvie
Angus MacDonald
Mike MacKenzie
Stuart McMillan
Anne McTaggart
John Wilson (Deputy Convener)
Committee Clerking Team:
Clerk to the Committee
Stephen Imrie
Senior Assistant Clerk
Joanna Hardy
Assistant Clerk
Diane Barr
Subordinate Legislation
The Committee reports to the Parliament as follows—
Background
1. On 3rd September 2011, the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Amendment (No2) Regulations 2011 (SSI 2011/350) (“the instrument”) was laid before the Parliament. The instrument comes into force on the 30 November 2011 and is subject to the negative procedure.
2. The purpose of the instrument is amends the Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2009 (“the principal Regulations”), and has the principal objective of extending eligibility under that scheme to Carers who live in energy inefficient dwellings.
3. The Regulations extend eligibility to apply for a grant under the principal Regulations to persons who are, or who live with a partner who is, in receipt of carer’s allowance. Eligibility has been so extended, in recognition of the pressures in such households as a result of higher fuel costs. An applicant for a grant under the new categories of eligible persons must live in an energy inefficient dwelling and be an owner or tenant of it, as well as meeting some further requirements as to length of residence.
Economy, Energy and Tourism consideration
4. The instrument was considered by the Committee at its meeting on 9 November 2011, who agreed to make no recommendations. However members did agree to write to the Scottish Government to seek further information on the financial implications of the scheme. (see Annexe A for a copy of the letter.)
ANNEXE A
Dear Cabinet Secretary,
The Home Energy Assistance Scheme (Scotland) Amendment (No. 2) Regulations 2011: SSI 2011/350
At its meeting on Wednesday 9 November, the Economy, Energy and Tourism Committee considered the above instrument and agreed to make no recommendations. However, some Committee members did express disappointment at the lack of details of the additional cost of expanding the scheme to carers. I would be grateful if you could provide the Committee with information on the financial implications of extending the scheme and the impact that this will have on the total budget for the scheme.
Kind regards,
Gavin Brown MSP
Convener
cc. Members of the Committee