Welsh Liberal Democrat housing spokesperson Peter Black has joined those calling for the courts to do more to help families who are in danger of losing their homes as a consequence of the economic downturn.

His remarks follow a report for the Centre for Policy (CPS) studies that has recommended that judges use their powers they have to suspend repossession orders.

Mr. Black said: -

“Ministry of Justice figures released at the end of November last year showed that repossessions had gone up by a staggering 21% in the three months to September, and all the evidence suggests that matters are getting worse this year.

“The CPS report points out that we could be looking at 157,000 repossession orders across Wales and the rest of the UK both this year and next.

“If the judges were to take a leaf out of their own book and use their powers to suspend these repossessions in suitable cases, that figure could be reduced substantially.

“During the last recession, the judges increased the number of orders they suspended. If they did that now, then around 30,000 households would end up being able to stay in their homes.

“The judges already have this power. What is needed is for the Ministry of Justice to write to our judges reminding that they can use it where the circumstances of a case allow.”