MINISTERS MUST NOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO REPOSSESSIONS CRISIS - FINNIE

Written by Ross Finnie on Wed 8th Apr 2009

MINISTERS MUST NOT TURN A BLIND EYE TO REPOSSESSIONS CRISIS - FINNIE

Liberal Democrat Health spokesperson Ross Finnie MSP has demanded immediate action from the Scottish Government to support individuals and families facing repossession of their homes.

Last November, Liberal Democrats together with the Greens, the Independent and the Labour Party highlighted ways in which Scottish court procedures could be strengthened to give further protection to those facing repossession. The Scottish Government refused to take action at that time.

Today (Wednesday) BBC Scotland is showing a programme "Repossession, Repossession, Repossession" which in addition to finding that 7,500 Scots face repossession in the coming year, makes the identical point about ways in which Scottish citizens facing repossession could be given more protection.

Commenting, Mr Finnie said:

"This BBC programme proves the opposition parties were right, last November, to launch a joint campaign urging the SNP Government to change the law and give Scottish homeowners the maximum protection from the threat of repossession.

"Liberal Democrats fully support calls to bring Scotland into line with the rest of the UK and give real protection to families and individuals facing repossession of their homes.

"The Scottish Government must ensure that home repossessions are a genuine last resort and that lenders face the prospect of meeting court costs if every avenue is not exhausted.

"The Health Secretary and the Justice Secretary cannot turn a blind eye to this issue any longer."

Ends.

Notes to Editors:

Mr Finnie, along with MSPs from Labour, the Greens and independent Margo Macdonald, issued a joint signatory to a motion on the 3rd of December 2008, urging the Scottish Government to bring about a Scottish equivalent to measures introduced in England to make sure that repossession is genuinely a last resort.