Home loss on the rise

Mar 18 2009 by Kevin Core, Heswall News

A GLOOMY report to Wirral Council has highlighted a 59% increase in mortgage possession orders.

The increase was recorded at Birkenhead County Court in a comparison of the third quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007.

Set to be considered by councillors tomorrow, the report also reveals Wirral’s overall employment rate decreased by 2.1% between December 2007, and June 2008.

The main looming job loss on the peninsula is the January announcement of 300 jobs going at Tulip Foods, in Bromborough, with over-capacity in the food industry being cited as a particular problem.

Talks are continuing with officers and MPs to lessen the impact.

Figures from Jobcentre Plus showed that, in 2007/2008, five employers notified a total of 1,051 redundancies, 821 of which could be put down to job losses at Burtons.

There was more woe in the numbers of residents claiming Jobseekers Allowance, which show a rise from 5,793 in October 2007, to 8,499 in January 2009.

The report reads: “There appears to be a significant collapse in sales and market confidence; apparently arising from the difficulties experienced by developers and individual householders accessing finance.

“Affordability still remains an issue – while property prices are reducing, the increase in required deposits for mortgages means if anything, the ability to access housing through purchase has worsened.”

Leader of Wirral Council, Steve Foulkes, said: “We are committed to supporting local companies and encouraging new business opportunities during the downturn.

“Within its budget, the council has identified £50,000 to support micro-businesses, which will be enhanced by a further £800,000 a year.

“We are also planning a major £20m capital investment in new and modernised buildings over the next four years and over £25m of government money is also about to be spent on the building of a brand new secondary school.

“We are also planning to support the creation of 100 new apprenticeships, supporting businesses through www.business wirral.com”