Gordon MacRae, Head of Communications and Policy, Shelter Scotland, said: “Today’s figures are no cause for celebration. While repossessions are lower than predicted, annual levels are still the highest we have seen since the mid 1990s. The number of people in more than 12 months of arrears has more than trebled in the last two years. It is therefore very poor timing for the UK Government to cut the vital Support for Mortgage Interest scheme by 40 per cent.
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“Research released by Shelter Scotland yesterday shows one in six homeowners in Britain are struggling to pay their mortgage, a 78% increase in a year. The research also showed that one in three (33%) homeowners in Scotland say they live with the constant worry of how to pay their mortgage, equivalent to 512,173 households.
“With unemployment continuing to rise across Scotland and many more people struggling daily to make ends meet, we are extremely concerned that thousands are being pushed into a dangerous spiral of debt and, ultimately, homelessness. Lenders must do more to help by moving people who are stuck on high rates to one that matches the support provided so that struggling homeowners are not faced with a shortfall and avoid losing their home.”
Anyone struggling with their mortgage can get free advice today by calling Shelter Scotland’s helpline on 0808 800 4444 or visiting our website.
(GK)
