Archive for September 1st, 2008

Local Lib Dems back action to save homes from repossession

Plans that could save many residents of Hastings & Rye from the trauma of home repossession have been backed by local Liberal Democrats.

With the credit crunch biting, many households are struggling to keep up mortgage payments and risk losing their homes.

Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable MP launched the plans on 27th August that could stop many people being thrown out of their homes because of the growing mortgage crisis.

Nick Perry, Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner said,

“The fear of repossession is stalking home-owners in our constituency and the Labour government is not doing enough to protect people from the worst effects of the mortgage crisis.

“People who lived through the last mortgage crisis under the Conservatives will never want to experience the same situation again. That is why I am pleased that Vince Cable MP is putting forward these plans.”

The Liberal Democrat proposals include:

• Allowing families struggling with repayments to sell all or part of the equity in their house and rent it back from a housing association or private firm to help keep them in their home
• Letting councils and housing associations borrow money to buy up land and empty new homes for use as social housing
• Giving guidelines to courts to allow homes to be repossessed only in extreme circumstances, making the mortgage lenders’ voluntary code binding on all lenders

Vince Cable MP said, “The Government seems obsessed with fighting a losing battle to artificially prop up the housing market, rather than finding ways to deal with its worst effects. Ministers must act to help the thousands of families struggling to keep a roof over their heads.”

[What do you think of Vince Cable's proposals?]

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Mohammed Al-Majed remembered – Nick speaks to Al-Jazeera

This morning, I attended the municipal ceremony organised to enable local residents to pay their respects to the memory, and to the family of Mohammed Al-Majed – the 16-year old Qatari language student who lost his life last week.

The attendance at the ceremony showed that diversity is alive and well in Hastings.

Following the two minutes’ silence at Priory Meadow, I spoke with the Al-Jazeera reporter covering the proceedings.

He asked about me about the feeling in the town following the death of Mohammed, and I said that our hearts have gone out to his family.

I also related to him that there are many in the town committed to promoting good race relations. 

With my partner and daughter being mixed race, I am personally highly conscious of this issue.  Anti-racism is a cause close to my heart.

I hope, slowly but surely, that Hastings will be able to regain some of the trust that it may have lost as a destination for language students, particularly in Arabic communities.

We must be willing to listen to what local agencies involved in the supporting of foreign language students are telling us, and to do all in our power to make Hastings as safe and as welcoming a town as we possibly can.


 

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Flickr Photos

Vince comes to 1066 Country

Nick and Paddy talk about Hastings fishermen

The two Nicks meet in Eastbourne

More Photos

Nick’s Tweets

  • Out canvassing this evening - a few enjoyable tussles with Labour and Conservative supporters, and a satisfying number of Lib Dems met! 1 week ago
  • A Liberal Democrat MP would be a good choice for the people of Hastings & Rye... http://bit.ly/PJ4g5 2 weeks ago
  • Attended Filsham Valley School parents meeting on Thursday regarding the Academies plans; there is a real passion for the school - fab! 3 weeks ago
  • Wasn't Bonnie Greer just SO cool... 3 weeks ago
  • Good stuff at Tuesday evening's HOTRA meeting on Academies - the sponsors were given a pasting. 3 weeks ago