Insurance firms to be questioned by MPs - 2004-01-27
The Treasury Select Committee is grilling the heads of Aviva, Legal & General, Prudential, Royal & Sun Alliance and Standard Life as part of its investigation into rebuilding confidence in the long-term savings industry.

It is not know what MPs will ask the chief executives but it is thought their questions will revolve around with-profits funds, particularly ones taken out as endowment mortgages.
Read the full story at Guardian Unlimited

Commuter initiative no boost to homeowners - 2004-01-27
Fannie Mae's "Smart Commute Initiative," targeted at promoting housing affordability and alternatives to the automobile, is neither well concieved nor affordable.

At the same time, the mortgage amount they qualify for includes assumed cost savings from not having an automobile, because they live near public transit. For a two-income household, the assumption is transportation "savings" of $250 a month, or about $14,000 more mortgage than they would qualify for solely based on their income.
Read the full story at Atlanta Journal And Constitution