Response to article in the Metro on repossessions
Housing Minister Grant Shapps responds to article in the Metro on repossessions. Dear Sir By lumping together statistics on the evictions …
Housing Minister Grant Shapps responds to article in the Metro on repossessions.
Dear Sir
By lumping together statistics on the evictions of homeowners, social tenants and private tenants your article (March of the Bailiffs, Monday 30 January) painted an inaccurate and misleading representation, which overlooks how Government action is ensuring struggling households get the support they need.
The numbers of mortgage repossessions are expected to be lower than the Council of Mortgage Lenders’ original forecast of 40,000 for 2011 - also lower than the rate inherited from the previous Government.
We are committed to ensuring real help, support and advice is available to help ensure that even in tough times repossession remains the last resort. We have taken decisive action to tackle the record deficit we inherited, preventing the need for rapid increases in interest rates that would have put a strain on family budgets. We’ve maintained £400million preventing homelessness funding and put a further £200million towards the Mortgage Rescue Scheme.
I would urge anyone struggling to pay their mortgage to seek help as early as possible. The Directgov website as well as organisations such as Citizens Advice, Shelter and National Debtline are on hand to offer the advice and information that can help put people in the best possible position to keep their homes.
Grant Shapps MP