Equity release body urges parties to think beyond election

Education, communication and co-operation are the three things the next government should focus on in order to improve retirement funding in the UK.

This is the view of equity release trade organisation Ship, which said the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties need to produce more than just "soundbites" as May 6th approaches.

Commenting on the policies laid out by the three parties, Ship director general Andrea Rozario said: "All policies and the plans to finance them should be clearly outlined.

"Will they cope under the strain of an increasingly older population and who will the cost fall upon? By working with the industry, whoever is in power after May 6th, will have a better understanding of equity release and the possibilities it offers."

Ship has been championing equity release schemes during the build up to the election as a way for retired people to boost their income.