Government Views

Customer use of home reversion plans and equity release schemes could increase as a result of a government funding change. The BBC reported that the budget for the Warm Front scheme, which provides households with grants to pay for energy efficiency upgrades, is set to be halved from £369 million ... read more

Government and councils give care of older people a "relatively low priority", the Registered Nursing Home Association (RNHA) said today.A spokesman for the group said that the authorities need to "do more" to give "dignity and respect" to vulnerable people.The comments follow the release of a report from the Care ... read more

The standard of care offered to elderly people by some providers is inadequate, a new report has indicated.According to the Care Quality Commission, one in four old people's homes only offer an "adequate" or worse standard of care.The report indicated that one in three local authorities "must do more" to ... read more

Government support for the housing market has been demanded by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA).The industry group said that chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling should include measures designed to protect the current recovery in his upcoming Pre-Budget Report.Suggested reforms from the NAEA include an extension of the ... read more

A warning over care home fees has been issued by a new report.Many people who have been overcharged for care costs could be unaware of a 1999 ruling allowing them refunds, the Observer reported.In 1999, a court said that people in England and Wales should have care home fees paid ... read more

The government should move to protect people's pensions as the recession continues to take a toll of the retirement savings sector, a report suggested today (November 27th).According to the National Association of Pension Funds' (NAPF) Annual Survey, 83 per cent of industry representatives wish to see more long-term government bonds ... read more

Conservatives have indicated that they plan to relax the age 75 annuity rule if they win the next general election.Speaking to the Tax Incentivised Savings Association, Theresa May indicated that laws would be changed in order to give pensioners greater choice.Currently, Britons are obliged to take out an annuity product, ... read more

Conservatives have indicated that they plan to relax the age 75 annuity rule if they win the next general election.Speaking to the Tax Incentivised Savings Association, Theresa May indicated that laws would be changed in order to give pensioners greater choice.Currently, Britons are obliged to take out an annuity product, ... read more

House prices could be bolstered by new mortgage protections for UK borrowers unveiled by the government. New proposals published by the Treasury would allow borrowers whose mortgages are sold on to third parties to be protected by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Sarah McCarthy-Fry, exchequer secretary, said: "Since ... read more

House prices could be bolstered by new mortgage protections for UK borrowers unveiled by the government. New proposals published by the Treasury would allow borrowers whose mortgages are sold on to third parties to be protected by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Sarah McCarthy-Fry, exchequer secretary, said: "Since ... read more