Written question asked by Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Independent Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Andrews (Labour) on Wednesday, 20 May 2009.

Housing: Mortgage Support Scheme

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the delay between the announcement of the mortgage support scheme and its approval by the European Commission.

Answer: The Government's intention to introduce homeowners mortgage support was announced by the Prime Minister on 3 December 2008. It required a change in legislation which was made in the Banking Acts 2009. This department then worked with the lenders and money advice agencies to agree the detailed scheme design and to put in place training for advice agency staff. At the same time the Government asked the European Commission to look at the proposed scheme's compatibility with the EC treaty on state aid. The Commission's decision was received on 20 April and the scheme was open with the first lenders on 21 April 2009.

Secondary information