HC Deb 10 January 1995 vol 252 c21W
Mr. Battle

To ask the President of the Board of Trade what information he has as to the extent to which the eligibility criteria for mortgage protection policies tend to exclude the self-employed.

Mr. Jonathan Evans

It is possible for the self-employed to safeguard themselves against sickness or disability through mortgage protection policies. The circumstances under which income replacement is payable varies between different insurers—insurers would normally require evidence that trading has permanently ceased. Insurers are considering how they can best meet the needs of the self-employed and others, consistent with sound underwriting practice, following the announcement of the proposed changes in income support for mortgage interest.

Mr. Battle

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will enter into negotiations with the insurance market concerning private mortgage protection policies.

Mr. Jonathan Evans

Officials have already held discussions with the Association of British Insurers about mortgage protection policies. Department of Social Security Ministers will also be meeting the ABI as part of the consultation process on the proposed changes in income support for mortgage interest payments.

£ million
Financial year Iran Iraq Jordan Saudi Arabia UAE Egypt
1980–81 0 0 188 0 0 25
1981–82 0 129 42 19 0 58
1982–83 0 352 1 58 96 77
1983–84 0 22 26 12 0 42
1984–85 0 163 18 27 0 157
1985–86 0 293 0 52 1 35
1986–87 20 145 240 0 0 202
1987–88 0 239 103 15 33 118
1988–89 0 245 152 450 0 5
1989–90 0 374 41 0 188 111
1990–91 2 90 0 0 0 21
1991–92 0 0 0 17 0 58
1992–93 0 0 14 225 356 12
1993–94 7 0 0 751 0 0