Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has dismissed calls from the Liberal Democrats for a temporary moratorium on evictions and repossessions over the festive period.
His call was reiterated by Liberal Democrat MP Sarah Olney in today’s Prime Minister’s Questions.
At PMQs Olney said: “As temperatures are plummeting and the cost of living crisis is deepening ordinary families are facing a Dickensian nightmare across the country this Christmas.
“Mortgage bills are soaring, household repossessions are up and nearly half a million tenants face eviction after falling behind on their rent.
“Too many people are worrying about where they, and their children, will wake up on Christmas morning.
“So will the Prime Minister agree to a temporary ban, over the festive period on repossessions and evictions, so nobody has to live in fear of losing their home this Christmas?”
But Sunak dismissed Olney’s call. He replied: “We provide a range of support to both homeowners and tenants who are in difficulty already.
“But the most important thing that we are doing already to financially support them through the winter is providing almost £900 towards their energy bills amongst all the additional support that is available to the most vulnerable.”
Olney the MP for Richmond Park was left far than impressed with his response.
In a statement after PMQs Lib Dem Treasury Spokesperson Olney said: “The Prime Minister’s refusal to guarantee nobody will be forced out of their home this winter is absolutely disgraceful.
“This Conservative Government crashed the economy, sent interest rates spiralling and now ordinary people are paying the price.
“Rishi Sunak must reverse this heartless decision, temporarily ban repossessions and evictions this Christmas, and put an end to this Dickensian nightmare.”
