Cameron urges lending grace

Tuesday, 11 December 2007 12:00 AM

David Cameron's calls on banks to help struggling mortgage-holders have been dismissed by the government.

The Conservative leader told the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) earlier today he wanted to see lenders help prevent house repossessions by minimising the impact of difficult conditions for borrowers.

He blamed Gordon Brown's policies for the current conditions, saying the tax burden added to rising food and petrol bills, falling take-home pay and high interest rates.

"I believe we urgently need to take stock of this situation, and together take steps to minimise the impact these higher mortgage bills might have," he said.

"After all, it's in no one's interests if homeowners can't keep up with their repayments. Because, let's not forget, banks lose out too if mortgages are not repaid."

The Tory leader suggested a gradual increase in mortgage repayments following rate hikes or the provision of extra advice to struggling mortgage-holders as ways in which the bank could help.

Chief secretary to the Treasury Andy Burnham said the leader of the opposition's social responsibility proposals "don't add up to anything".

"People will remember what happened to their mortgages when David Cameron was last in the Treasury. Everyone's mortgages would be under threat from the £6 billion black hole in David Cameron's tax and spend plans," Mr Burnham commented.

He accused the Conservative leader of backing a regulation-cutting report from his economic policy commission earlier this year.

"The last time the Tories promised extra spending and unfunded tax cuts, the result was 15 per cent interest rates," he added.

Tags:
• economy
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• industry
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• regulation