‘Give OAPs choice to help market’

London’s elderly are being unfairly “demonised” for sitting in empty family homes when the real cause is a shortage of retirement flats, a top Lib-Dem MP warned.

Former Care Minister Paul Burstow said the capital was facing a growing crisis because of a failure to meet the housing needs of an ageing population.

By 2041, London will have a shortfall of more than 46,000 homes suitable for older people, the Sutton & Cheam MP told a fringe meeting at the Glasgow conference.

“Older people are often demonised for sitting in empty homes denying young families a foot on the housing ladder,” said Mr Burstow.

“The truth is many older people genuinely want to move, but are being let down by the complete lack of choice.” He called for a shake-up of housing policy: “The Mayor and housing ministers need to be looking at the whole housing chain.

“Get it right, by increasing the range and quality of housing available for older people, and you give many older people the chance to have a better quality of life, to enjoy the money that has been locked up in their homes — and free up a large numbers of family homes for younger generations. A real boost to the housing market, good for everyone.”

London’s population is set to rise by 23 per cent over the next quarter century but the number of older people is set to increase at twice that rate.

To meet the needs of older Londoners planning to downsize, an extra 80,000 homes would need to be built by 2041. On present trends just 33,600 will have been completed.