PRESS RELEASE
Citizens Advice Scotland
Contact: Tony Hutson 0131 550 1010. m:07774 751655
Fall In Re-Possessions Welcome – But There Is Still Hardship
In a statement, CAS Chief Executive, Mrs Kaliani Lyle, said,
“If there is a general downward trend in re-possessions that is obviously very welcome – though we’d like to see it sustained for a longer period before we celebrate too much.
"Clearly, the lower interest rates are helping, and the various government schemes that now help people in arrears – many of them set up after persuasion by organisations like ourselves - will also have had some impact.
“But even if these figures do indicate the beginnings of a trend, anecdotal evidence here in Scotland suggest that there is still a great deal of hardship out there. This week we released our analysis of all cases dealt with by the CAB in Scotland in the last year, which indicated that debt cases had increased by 14% and new redundancy cases had rocketed by 104%. [2]
“We should also remember that home-owners are only one part of the housing picture. People in social rented accommodation here in Scotland are still being evicted in greater numbers then ever before. [3]
“So while a fall in re-possessions is of course good news, we need to make sure that everyone is protected from homelessness – renters as well as home-owners – and not just for one quarter but for a sustained period.”
For more information, or to arrange interviews, call Tony Hutson on 0131 550 1010 or 07774 751655.
ENDS
[1] The Council of Mortgage Lenders report was issued today. Its findings represent the picture across the whole of the UK. There is no breakdown for Scotland. Details: http://www.cml.org.uk/cml/media/press/2357
2 The Citizens Advice Scotland analysis of cases for year 2008/09 is attached, or is available on request.
3 Figures from Shelter Scotland, who have reported that social landlords (Councils and housing associations) in Scotland took legal action which resulted in 3,573 tenants losing their homes in 2007-08. Almost all of these evictions were for rent arrears: fewer than three per cent were for anti-social behaviour. They added that 'social landlords' are twice as likely to obtain a decree of eviction against their tenants than a mortgage lender is for a private home-owner. Details at: http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/policy_library/policy_library_folder/evictions_2007-2008