British parents provide cause for concern

4th February 2006

The state of housing inhabited by Britain’s over 60s is causing major concern to their families, according to research by Direct Line Home Response 24.

A fifth of Britons (21 per cent) said they worried about their parents’ sub-standard housing because of damp, unsafe heating and old-fashioned security.

Worse still, even when their parents do try to have their property repaired significant numbers (nine per cent of over 60s) get ripped off by cowboy tradesmen and pay too much for home repairs.

Their offspring are not just worried about the cowboys. Many (29 per cent) are concerned their parents will hurt themselves while attempting to carry out the repairs themselves.

In a bid to help their elders, one in 10 of the country’s grown up children (eight per cent) make sure they are with their over 60s parents when tradesmen carry out repairs, with 11 per cent conducting their own regular house checks.

Such is the concern of some that more than one in 10 offspring have relocated themselves or their parents to be close to each other.

Many offspring are dipping into their own pockets to provide financial support. Seven per cent have forked out money to help their parents with home maintenance, shelling out over £363 million in the last year alone.

Andrew Lowe, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance said:

“It’s only natural for people with elderly parents to worry about the standard of their home and to want to do all they can to ensure they are safe and not being conned into unnecessary repairs. As the research has shown the tables have truly turned in many cases and it’s now the children wanting to be close to their parents so they can look after them.”

ENDS.

For further information please contact:

Carmel McCarthy/Direct Line Press Office
Tel: 0845 878 2178/ carmel.mcCarthy@directline.com

Notes to editors

Research was conducted between 11 and 15 August 2005 by YouGov Plc who interviewed a sample of 2430 individuals. The survey was carried out online. Results were weighted to be representative of the GB population.

If the adult UK population is 45,434,897 (ONS) and 4% spent at least £200 on home repairs = 0.04 x 45,434,897 x £200 = £363,479,176

Direct Line Insurance plc, authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Calls may be recorded. Conditions apply.

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