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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Minister sparks repossession row | Minister sparks repossession row |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The housing minister, John Healey, has told the BBC that, for some people, having their home repossessed "can be the best option". | The housing minister, John Healey, has told the BBC that, for some people, having their home repossessed "can be the best option". |
| Speaking on Radio 5 live, he said some households would struggle to keep up with mortgage repayments even if the terms were re-negotiated. | Speaking on Radio 5 live, he said some households would struggle to keep up with mortgage repayments even if the terms were re-negotiated. |
| The Conservatives called for Mr Healey to apologise to families who had lost their homes. | The Conservatives called for Mr Healey to apologise to families who had lost their homes. |
| Earlier, figures showed repossessions in the UK had reached a 14-year high. | Earlier, figures showed repossessions in the UK had reached a 14-year high. |
| The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said 46,000 homes were repossessed in 2009, the highest number since 1995. | The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) said 46,000 homes were repossessed in 2009, the highest number since 1995. |
| Mr Healey was speaking to Victoria Derbyshire after the CML figures were released. | Mr Healey was speaking to Victoria Derbyshire after the CML figures were released. |
| This proves once again that Labour ministers have completely lost touch with reality Grant Shapps, shadow housing minister Repossessions reach 14-year high | This proves once again that Labour ministers have completely lost touch with reality Grant Shapps, shadow housing minister Repossessions reach 14-year high |
| "For some people it can be the best option for them to allow their home to be repossessed... even in cases [where lenders look at repossessions as a last resort] some families may not be able to keep up with mortgage repayments even if they're re-negotiated and rescheduled," he said. | "For some people it can be the best option for them to allow their home to be repossessed... even in cases [where lenders look at repossessions as a last resort] some families may not be able to keep up with mortgage repayments even if they're re-negotiated and rescheduled," he said. |
| "There is no accounting for every circumstance," he went on. | "There is no accounting for every circumstance," he went on. |
| "Repossession is a permanent feature of our system in good times and in bad. In some circumstances it may be the only option available to them." | "Repossession is a permanent feature of our system in good times and in bad. In some circumstances it may be the only option available to them." |
| 'Unbelievable' | |
| The comments caused many listeners to contact the programme. | |
| "Having your property taken by the lender is the worst thing you could possibly do," said one. | |
| "I lost my house in September. It was not the best thing to happen to me by a long shot," said another. | |
| But his views also won support. One listener sent a text message saying: "Victoria, it WAS the best option for us to lose our home. We had spent far too much renovating it and needed someone to say 'Stop'." | |
| FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live | FROM BBC RADIO 5 LIVE More from BBC Radio 5 live |
| Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said: "Having previously admitted that he thought it was good for home ownership to be falling, it is unbelievable that John Healey has now claimed that repossession can be the best option. | Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps said: "Having previously admitted that he thought it was good for home ownership to be falling, it is unbelievable that John Healey has now claimed that repossession can be the best option. |
| "Tell that to the 46,000 families who have been booted out of their homes in the past 12 months thanks to Labour's record recession. | "Tell that to the 46,000 families who have been booted out of their homes in the past 12 months thanks to Labour's record recession. |
| "This proves once again that Labour ministers have completely lost touch with reality." | "This proves once again that Labour ministers have completely lost touch with reality." |
| Campbell Robb, the chief executive of the housing charity Shelter, said: "Any struggling homeowner must seek advice early from organisations like to Shelter to ensure they have all the facts and can make an informed decision about what action is best for them. | Campbell Robb, the chief executive of the housing charity Shelter, said: "Any struggling homeowner must seek advice early from organisations like to Shelter to ensure they have all the facts and can make an informed decision about what action is best for them. |
| "Tragically, however, there are exceptional instances, often as a result of irresponsible lending in the first place, where repossession is the only viable option to avoid pushing people into higher levels of debt." | "Tragically, however, there are exceptional instances, often as a result of irresponsible lending in the first place, where repossession is the only viable option to avoid pushing people into higher levels of debt." |
| Are you worried about repossession? Have you had your house repossessed? If you would like to talk to the BBC about these issues please complete the form below. | Are you worried about repossession? Have you had your house repossessed? If you would like to talk to the BBC about these issues please complete the form below. |
| In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |