Older people encouraged to downsize

A group of charities have called on the Government to set up a national "downsizing agency" to advise older people on where to move home, the financial incentives of having a smaller property and how to declutter. The charities said that up to 1m family homes could be released on to the property market if help was offered to older people. Research from the groups said that the barriers to downsizing highlighted how elderly homeowners struggled to find accommodation of the right size in the right location, close to amenities and local transport. Stephen Burke, director of United for All Ages, said that rather than blame older people for not moving, they should know where to go for help.