Ladyman welcomes extra help to tackle house repossession in Thanet.

The Government's Drive to tackle home repossesions is being extended. John Healey, Minister for Housing, has announced that Thanet is among 56 repossession hot spot areas that is being targetted for extra help.

"I am delighted that the Minister has recognised the need for extra help for Thanet. I don't want to see anyone lose their home and people threatened by repossession need all the help they can get" said South Thanet MP, Stephen Ladyman.

"Thousands of people have already been helped by the Government at this difficult time but there are still people in Thanet having trouble keeping up the mortgage and good, independent advice is vital for them."

John Healey's press statement follows:

JOHN HEALEY EXTENDS GOVERNMENT DRIVE TO TACKLE REPOSSESSIONS Housing Minister John Healey is today extending the Government’s campaign to help struggling homeowners get a grip on their finances and avoid repossession. In a major extension of the campaign to promote the free help and advice available the minister has announced a new advertising drive and local mortgage help events in 56 repossession hotspot areas starting next week . And he is also announcing local promotion of a special helpline and website in another 30 hotspot areas with high risk of repossession.
Over 330,000 households have had help and advice with their mortgages over the past year, and repossessions are currently running at nearly half the rate of the last recession. But with the pressure on families likely to remain high throughout 2010, the Government is working with the Citizens Advice Bureau to run a string of local help events in 56 repossession ‘hotspots’, so that struggling homeowners can get impartial face-to-face help and advice to keep their home. New radio and local press advertising in all 56 areas will also promote the special website and free telephone advice line to help homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments
John Healey said today: ”With the pressure on homeowners set to continue this year, I’m determined that they get the help they need. “That’s why I’m extending our campaign so families across the country can get the free, impartial advice they need online, on the phone or on the high street.
“The comprehensive range of Government help available – and tougher rules on lenders - will mean that repossessions remain the last resort.”
Nearly 88,000 people have gone to www.direct.gov.uk/mortgagehelp since its launch in September, over 26,000 of whom have used it to develop personal action plans tailored to their individual circumstances. This help has also proved valuable for those feeling the pinch after Christmas – over 17,000 people have visited the website since 1 January.
The additional areas now receiving repossession hotspot help are:
· Basildon
· Bolsover
· Broxbourne
· Bury
· Coventry
· Darlington
· Dartford
· Dudley
· Enfield
· Erewash
· Gateshead
· Gloucester
· Gravesham
· Harlow
· Ipswich
· Kirklees
· Lambeth
· Leeds
· Leicester
· Mansfield
· Medway
· Milton Keynes
· NE Lincolnshire
· Redbridge
· Slough
· Southend-on-sea
· Stevenage
· Thanet
· Wakefield
· West Lancashire