§ Mr. Austin MitchellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what statistics he has about the number of elderly people made homeless after taking out home income annuity schemes in which lenders foreclose, making the purchaser homeless; and if he will make a statement on such schemes and the problems of whether those who lose their homes in this way can be construed as intentionally homeless.
§ Mr. ChopeLocal authorities make quarterly returns of the numbers of households for whom they had accepted responsibility for securing accommodation under the homelessness provisions of the 1985 Housing Act. These provide breakdowns of the total number of households accepted as homeless by category of priority need, including "vulnerable due to old age", and by main reason for homelessness, including mortgage arrears, but do not separately identify foreclosure on home income annuity schemes. We have no evidence to suggest that this is a widespread problem but anyone considering such a scheme would be well advised to seek independent financial advice on the scheme most suitable for their needs.