21% RISE IN REPOSSESSION ORDERS IN WALES - ÖPIK

11.11.34am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th May 2008

The latest Government figures released today show that in Wales alone, the number of repossession orders issued has risen 21% since the beginning of 2007. In Welshpool and Newtown alone, there has been a 180% rise in landlord possession orders made.

Lembit Öpik, Liberal Democrat Housing Spokesperson and MP for Montgomeryshire, commented:

"While the number of repossession orders issued is on the rise, I am pleased to see that there have been attempts made to stem the rate of repossession.

"I am pleased to see the Government has taken Liberal Democrat advice and agreed to offer free legal advice for those facing repossession and training in debt counselling for advice centres.

"However, I am disappointed that it has taken this long for the Government to react in a constructive way to the crisis facing so many people. For many, this will be too little too late."

Ends/diwedd

For a breakdown of the Government figures please see:

http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/mortgatelandlordpossession.htm