Lilley says mortgage aid cuts are right
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Moves to limit income support help for mortgage payments by the unemployed would not lead to more people losing their homes, Peter Lilley, Secretary of State for Social Security, insisted in the Commons yesterday.
He said home-owners should be encouraged to take out private insurance against job loss.
"It is right we should try to move from a system which at present leaves 70 per cent of people with mortgages, who may find themselves unemployed or without an income, uncovered by the existing state system.
"We want to try to move to a system whereby all new home- owners do have protection and cover against the risk of losing their job," he said.
He said the current system was costly and failed to help the majority of those who fell into difficulties with payments.
Donald Dewar, Labour's social security spokesman, said Government plans would mean a minimum of 40 per cent of home-owners would have to find "significant additional costs" in order to have private insurance cover.
He called on Mr Lilley to "drop the plan", warning it would lead to increased housing market uncertainty.
Mr Lilley replied: "You have failed to tell us what your policy towards home-owners is, yet you tacitly criticise us because there may be some small cost as far as 40 per cent of home owners are concerned."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments