400 battled to stave off repossession

MORE than 400 households across Oldham were threatened with losing their home last year as cash-strapped families struggled to survive.

New figures show 410 claims were issued across the borough — the first stage in taking back a property — in 2011.

But despite rising food and energy prices, and increasing numbers of people across the area claiming out-of-work benefits, repossession claims are six per cent down on 2010 levels. Across Greater Manchester there was a three per cent reduction year on year.

The Ministry of Justice figures come as the Government announces extra cash will be handed to councils to provide a safety net for struggling homeowners. Oldham Council will receive £86,270 from the £19million national allocation to offer small interest-free loans of a maximum of £5,000 to families to ensure repossession is a last resort.

In addition, £18,500 will be given to Oldham county court for free on-the-day, legal advice for homeowners at risk of repossession. The Government says many applications for possession orders are rejected or suspended when a householder has access to on-the-day legal advice with 30,000 households helped last year.