Cllr Michael Mullaney: Ban home repossessions and evictions over the Christmas period
Leicestershire's Liberal Democrats have called on the Government to bring in an emergency ban on banks repossessing people's homes over the Christmas period.
It comes as analysis by the party revealed a "nightmare before Christmas," with roughly 62,500 homeowners nationwide due to see their mortgage rate hiked between now and 31 December.
Locally here in Leicestershire there were 78 possession warrants and 14 repossessions in the last 12 months.
The Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Government to immediately bring in its long-promised ban on no-fault evictions to protect renters.
Michael Mullaney Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Leicestershire County Council warned the government must act now, adding that no one should face losing their home over Christmas because the Conservatives crashed the economy.
The Liberal Democrat proposals would include a temporary ban on banks repossessing people's homes over the Christmas period. The party is also calling for a Mortgage Protection Fund to support homeowners hardest hit by soaring mortgage prices.
The latest figures nationally show a significant increase in people at risk of seeing their home repossessed, with 3,680 mortgage possessions claims in the courts between July and September, up 30% on the same period last year.
Liberal Democrat leader of the opposition on Leicestershire County Council Michael Mullaney said:
"Families in Leicestershire are facing a nightmare before Christmas, with monthly mortgage and rent payments going through the roof. The anxiety of eviction hangs over far too many people's heads.
"The Conservative Government put hundreds of pounds on people's mortgages through their disastrous mini-budget. The very least they could now do is to take responsibility for fixing this mess and protecting families on the brink.
"No one should face losing their home this Christmas because the Conservative Government crashed the economy."
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey added:
"Jeremy Hunt must act now before it's too late, by bringing in a temporary ban on home repossessions and a mortgage rescue fund to support those hardest hit. The government must also finally bring in its long-promised ban on no-fault evictions to protect renters at risk of homelessness this winter."
A Hinckley County Councillor has renewed calls for a safe road crossing to be installed near a Hinckley School.
Lib Dem Councillor for Hinckley De Montfort Michael Mullaney has campaigned with local parents, residents and fellow Hinckley Councillors David Bill and Stuart Bray to get a safe crossing near St Peter’s School on London Road, Hinckley.
This follows news that Leicestershire County Council have again decided against putting a crossing there.
In a written submission to the County Council’s Highways and Transport Scrutiny Committee Michael Mullaney set out why a crossing was still needed there
“A huge number of residents in the area I represent on the County Council and the area my two fellow Hinckley County Councillors David Bill and Stuart Bray represent support a safe crossing at St Peter’s School on London Road in Hinckley. 8,850 residents signed a petition supporting the campaign.
“There are safety concerns, there have been a number of near misses involving pupils and parents going to the school. Although not recorded it is believed that there was an accident leading to a fatality some years ago along this part of London Road when a pedestrian was knocked over.
“Whilst I appreciate the extra road safety measures that are proposed for London Road near St Peter’s School I am extremely disappointed that the request for a safe road crossing has not been supported in the report.
“There is widespread support for it and Cllrs Bill, Bray and myself identified funding for putting a crossing in at the site through the Members Highway Fund, a fund which was developed with the apparent intention of supporting Highways causes that were important in Councillor’s local areas.
“Whilst it’s welcome that a crossing person has been recruited for St Peter’s School there is always the risk that the person may step down from the job and it may be difficult to find a new person (as it took some years to recruit a crossing person there, with no school crossing patrol between 2017 and 2022 despite attempts to recruit to the post). A safe pedestrian crossing at the site however would be a permanent safety measure that would benefit pupils and parents and residents more generally crossing the road there.
“Whilst I welcome the fact there will be some safety improvements at the site I and many residents believe there still needs to be a safe permanent crossing at St Peter’s School. I therefore urge the County Council to rethink and agree to installing a crossing near St Peter’s School”
