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Mortgage plan helps six families Mortgage plan helps six families
(about 2 hours later)
Just six families in England have been helped by the government's mortgage rescue scheme, a minister has admitted.Just six families in England have been helped by the government's mortgage rescue scheme, a minister has admitted.
The £200m initiative, launched at the start of 2009, aims to help vulnerable families who are at risk of repossession to stay in their homes.The £200m initiative, launched at the start of 2009, aims to help vulnerable families who are at risk of repossession to stay in their homes.
Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said that the time it took to access assistance was "extraordinary".Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said that the time it took to access assistance was "extraordinary".
But Ian Austin, the housing minister, promised MPs: "The impact of the scheme is accelerating." In response, Housing Minister John Healey said people most at risk would be able to get help quicker in future.
He said the number of families helped by the measure had risen from two to six during May. 'Fast-track help'
'Damned up' "To make sure families are getting the support they need, I can confirm that from next month a new central team will operate to manage and fast-track the cases of those most at risk of repossession," he said.
Facing criticism of the scheme's effectiveness, ministers have insisted it is gaining momentum.
As well as the six families for whom the threat of repossession has been completely lifted, they say a further 200 have received interim support while another 295 cases are currently being considered.
The vast majority of people who have made inquiries about eligibility have been told they are not eligible John Leech MP Local homes pledge 'is unlawful'
In April, an extra £80m was allocated to the scheme and the criteria for help was widened to include homeowners suffering from negative equity not just those at the most immediate risk of losing their homes.
The scheme allows not-for-profit housing associations to buy homes from people struggling to pay their mortgage and then allows them to continue living there by paying "affordable rent".The scheme allows not-for-profit housing associations to buy homes from people struggling to pay their mortgage and then allows them to continue living there by paying "affordable rent".
The government said the scheme - introduced across England - could help up to 6,000 households which might otherwise face repossession.The government said the scheme - introduced across England - could help up to 6,000 households which might otherwise face repossession.
The vast majority of people who have made inquiries about eligibility have been told they are not eligible John Leech MP Local homes pledge 'is unlawful'
Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have, or soon will have, their own initiatives in place.Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland have, or soon will have, their own initiatives in place.
'Crisis'
Mr Cable said the UK faced a repossessions "crisis" unless the government did more to help mortgage holders.Mr Cable said the UK faced a repossessions "crisis" unless the government did more to help mortgage holders.
He told MPs: "The government's scheme appears to involve a five-month process, which is quite extraordinary."He told MPs: "The government's scheme appears to involve a five-month process, which is quite extraordinary."
He added that a "flood" was currently being "damned up" and that the number of houses seized could reach 100,000 after 2011. He added that a "flood" was currently being "dammed up" and that the number of houses seized could reach 100,000 after 2011.
Mr Cable acknowledged ministers had taken action to help homeowners but said they were "storing up even bigger problems".Mr Cable acknowledged ministers had taken action to help homeowners but said they were "storing up even bigger problems".
John Leech, Lib Dem MP for Manchester Withington, said most families in his constituency were unable to get on the scheme.John Leech, Lib Dem MP for Manchester Withington, said most families in his constituency were unable to get on the scheme.
He added: "When I speak to the person in Greater Manchester who is actually dealing with inquiries, I was assured that the vast majority of people who have made inquiries about eligibility have been told they are not eligible."He added: "When I speak to the person in Greater Manchester who is actually dealing with inquiries, I was assured that the vast majority of people who have made inquiries about eligibility have been told they are not eligible."