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Mortgage Prisoners

28 June 2023

Lead MP

Martin Docherty
West Dunbartonshire
SNP

Responding Minister

Andrew Griffith

Tags

Economy
Word Count: 10768
Other Contributors: 6

At a Glance

Martin Docherty raised concerns about mortgage prisoners in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key Requests to Government:

The MP called for a moratorium on evictions for mortgage prisoners, a cap on SVRs offered to victims, and cross-party work to assist those trapped in closed-book prisons.

How the Debate Unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:

Lead Contributor

West Dunbartonshire
Opened the debate
The MP expressed astonishment and anger over the situation faced by mortgage prisoners, who are unable to switch lenders due to high interest rates on standard variable rates (SVRs). He highlighted a specific case of his constituent Chris Dorman, who took out a mortgage with Northern Rock in 2003 and was forced onto an interest-only plan when the bank collapsed in 2007. Despite not falling behind on payments, Chris faced fees and increased principal owing to actions by UK Asset Resolution (UKAR) and later Heliodor, which is owned by Topaz Finance Ltd. The principal owed rose by nearly £10,000 within a few years, pushing Chris into negative equity and threatening his family home in 2029.

Government Response

Andrew Griffith
Government Response
It is a pleasure to see you in the Chair, Mr Robertson. I congratulate the hon. Member for West Dunbartonshire on securing the debate. Our primary role as we represent our constituents is to use our voice to ensure that nobody feels forgotten. The Government recognises the anxiety people have about mortgages and will use tools at their disposal to limit rate rises. There are no easy answers, but this debate proves Parliament's ability to compel Ministers to account for themselves. The Minister acknowledges the work of Rachel Neale and others in the Public Gallery continuing with the campaign. He is humble about potential Government failings and recognises that every human process is fallible as seen in the Horizon scandal involving postmasters. The Minister will continue to keep an open mind on such issues. The debate addressed mortgage prisoners who have been in this situation for a long time, including Chris from the hon. Member's constituency. The Government and I recognise the anxiety that people have about mortgages, and we will use the tools at our disposal to limit the rise in rates. There is no one-size-fits-all solution; each case varies based on individual circumstances. The FCA's analysis recognises varied circumstances leading individuals to their current situation. The Government are committed to looking for practical and proportionate options where they can deliver genuine benefits for groups of borrowers, ensuring fairness and parity across different groups in society. However, the Minister notes that there cannot simply be a solution if somebody is on an interest-only mortgage with no plan to repay the principal. The Government want to ensure maximum number of options to switch are available. The idea of a cap on standard variable rate for mortgage prisoners was discussed but rejected by the Government as it would not be appropriate and might create false expectations. On moratoriums, existing pre-action protocols apply. Remedies through the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) exist and will be worked with to ensure this point is understood. The Minister acknowledges the recommendation from the LSE for free comprehensive financial advice which reflects the bespoke nature of some problems. The Government provides significant independent financial advice free at the point of use, budgeted at £93 million annually through the Money and Pensions Service. He wants to explore mortgage prisoners' experience accessing this advice. The Minister understands the distress people find themselves in due to rising rates and commits to working on it further. A global cap on standard variable rate is not the right answer; looking at individual cohorts would be better. The Government will continue dialogue with all parties, industry, and the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to bring forward solutions where possible. The Minister aims to defuse some of the deleterious impacts on people by getting more the ability to switch. Finally, from a broader economy perspective, efforts will be made to bear down on inflation and interest rates.
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About Westminster Hall Debates

Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.