Beckett doing all possible to avoid repossessions

Laura Stavro-Beauchamp
20-Nov-2008
Housing minister Margaret Beckett has assured the House of Commons that the government is using all its power to stave off revelations.
Andrew Miller, MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston, asked Beckett yesterday what the govenrnment was doing to minimise repossessions. Beckett assured him that everything possible is being done to avoid possessions and told him of plans to raise consumer awareness about what they can do to help themselves. Beckett says: "It is important that we convey the message of where people can seek help—and that they should seek help, rather than waiting until the last minute. Some 340 local authorities, as well as lenders, money advice agencies and officials from the Housing Corporation, have attended briefings to try to get information across and we are working particularly with the ministry of justice to improve provision of advice at the courts. "However, for those who go as far as the door of the court before seeking advice, we, with the Ministry of Justice, have funded court desks in about 90% of courts across the country. They have had an average success rate of 85% in averting repossessions, even at that late stage."