Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps (a) her Department and (b) SERCO have taken to provide the full terms and conditions of the Support for Mortgage Interest Payments Loan to people who are entitled to apply for those loans.

The information provision process for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans is being conducted by Serco on behalf of the Department. Existing SMI claimants are sent information about how the SMI loan will work, about possible alternatives to the loan and organisations that may offer further information and support. This is followed up by telephone calls from Serco, to explain the information and answer any questions. A leaflet containing Frequently Asked Questions is issued after this informed discussion. Where a claimant expresses an interest in taking up the offer of an SMI loan they will be sent a loan agreement and charge form, including all terms and conditions, to complete and return. They also receive detailed guidance on how to complete these documents.