§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will change the procedures of his Department in respect of mortgage interest payments so that mortgage lenders inform his Department as soon as interest rates have dropped or increased to prevent mortgagors overpaying or falling behind with their payments.
§ Mr. BurtThe amount allowed in income support for mortgage interest is calculated according to the interest rate being charged to the individual claimants' mortgage account. It is therefore necessary for the appropriate rate to be notified individually. We believe that the person best placed to do this is the claimant, who is responsible for informing the Department of any changes in circumstances that may affect entitlement to benefit.
§ Ms RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will change the procedures of his Department in respect of mortgage interest payments so that mortgage lenders receive payments by the due date, instead of one month in arrears, to prevent mortgagors being threatened with repossession.