Bates urges councils to take action as repossessions triple

12.00.00am GMT Tue 13th Jan 2009

As statistics released today show the number of repossessed households in Wales has tripled since last year, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates is urging councils to be more proactive to help those facing mortgage difficulties across the country.

Commenting, Mick stated:

"People across Wales are feeling the pinch of the current economic crisis. This is clearly reflected in the statistics which show that repossessions have tripled since last year. It is vital that councils are more proactive and offer more support for those facing repossession.

"Powys council has received a poor local government settlement again this year, which will impact on council tax rates and only add to the financial pressure on people across Wales, forcing more and more people into mortgage difficulties.

"I'm proud that Welsh Liberal Democrat-led councils have had the lowest council tax increases of any political group in Wales over the last four years.

"Today Lib Dem councillors in Powys identified £4.35million that could be saved on council expenditure for next year, without any cuts in services. Some of this money would be used to assist local residents in mortgage difficulties, to help lower the number of repossessions and keep people in their homes."