(2) what estimate her Department has made of the total value of the private sector equity loans.
From 1 April 2006 to 31 January 2007 the open market homebuy scheme has provided 1,858 individual Government equity loans, at a total value of £79 million.
On 2 October 2006, this scheme was developed in partnership with four lenders, enabling us to double the number of households helped with Government grant. There have already been at least 109 completions through the expanded scheme, and a further 6,000 purchasers have been accepted as eligible for the scheme.