These Regulations may be cited as the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2006 and shall come into force on 10th August 2006.

(1)    The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (England) Regulations 2005 are amended as follows.

(2)    In paragraph (1) of regulation 4 (persons who may apply for a grant), for “£15,050” substitute “£15,460”.

(3)    Omit the word “or” immediately preceding regulation 4(1)(e).

(4)    At the end of regulation 4(1), add—

“; or

(f)    who has attained, or is living with a partner who has attained, the age of 60 and who does not qualify for a grant under any other provision of this regulation”.

(5)    For paragraph (5) of regulation 4, substitute—

“(5)    For the purposes of this regulation, “partner” means the spouse, civil partner or person with whom the applicant lives as husband or wife or as civil partner.”.

(6)    At the beginning of regulation 5 (purposes for which a grant may be approved), insert—

“Subject to paragraph (4),”.

(7)    After regulation 5(3) insert—

“(4)    Where a works application has been entertained from a householder who qualifies under regulation 4(1)(f) the grant may be approved only for—

(a)    the purposes set out in paragraph (1)(e),(f),(j),(l) or (m) of this regulation;

(b)    the improvement to the energy efficiency of, or the replacing of any part of, a space heating system installed in the dwelling; or

(c)    the provision of a solid fuel heating system.”.

(8)    In regulation 6 (grant maximum)—

(a)    in paragraph (a) after “paragraph (b)” add “or (c)”;

(b)    omit the word “or” immediately preceding paragraph (b);

(c)    at the end, add—

“; or

(c)    where the applicant has qualified under regulation 4(1)(f), the amount properly charged for the works or £300, whichever is the less”.

Ian Pearson

Minister of State

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

7th July 2006

We consent,

Alan Campbell

Frank Roy

Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury

18th July 2006

These Regulations amend the Home Energy Efficiency (England) Regulations 2005.

Regulation 2(2) increases the qualifying cut-off point in relevant income for households in receipt of child tax credit or working tax credit from £15,050 to 15,460.

Regulation 2(4) extends the category of applicants who may apply for a grant to householders who have attained, or are living with a partner who has attained, the age of 60 and who do not otherwise qualify for a grant.

Regulation 2(5) makes amendments to reflect that the Civil Partnership Act 2004 is now in force.

Regulation 2(7) provides that householders who qualify under the newly introduced category of applicants can receive a grant for the purpose of the provision or replacement of, or improvements to, certain heating systems installed in the dwelling. Regulation 2(8) limits that grant to £300.

A full regulatory impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business.