How many pensioners have (a) had a central heating system installed under its Central Heating Installation Programme, (b) qualified for a c…

There are three parts to the Scottish Executive Central Heating Installation Programme. The programme for the over 60s who own their own homes or rent in the private sector which is managed by Eaga, the local authority programme which is managed by individual local authorities and the housing association programme which is managed by Communities Scotland. Ten thousand, three hundred and twenty-one households where the householder or their spouse was over 60 had received central heating under the programme managed by Eaga by 31 May 2003. The local authority and housing association programmes are not restricted to the elderly and separate information on the number of elderly people to benefit is not collected.Four thousand, nine hundred and twenty-four owner-occupier or private rental households where the householder or their spouse is over 60 have been assessed as eligible for the Central Heating Installation Programme and are now waiting for installation. Local authorities and housing associations carry out installation works in their role as landlords.The programme is kept under review to ensure that it continues to deliver benefits to elderly people and address fuel poverty. In September 2002 the Scottish Executive announced that the programme would be extended from April 2004 to offer 4,000 very elderly households with partial or poorly functioning central heating either an upgrade or a new system as appropriate and regulations to allow this will be introduced later this year.