Extended help for homeowners struggling to pay mortgages after losing their jobs was introduced by the UK government today in a bid to slow spiralling repossessions.
Thousands more will qualify for help with interest payments after the threshold for qualification was raised and the waiting period slashed by two thirds to 13 weeks.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown yesterday promised to do everything possible to prevent people losing their homes to the recession - as he conceded the downturn could last two years.
And he will begin a week of efforts to combat rising unemployment today when he addresses business leaders at a meeting of the Regional Economic Council he set up to help co-ordinate action.
The PM's claims yesterday that around 100,000 jobs would be created or protected by bringing forward £10 billion of public projects were welcomed by unions but dismissed as spin by the Tories.
No details were available from Downing Street last night of where the new posts would be created or what proportion of the total were existing jobs that it calculated might otherwise be lost.
The benefit changes, which come into force immediately, mean people with mortgages of up to £200,000 - double the previous cut off - will qualify for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI).
At present 230,000 households receive cash via SMI, available to those who are already receiving a means tested benefit, getting an average £40 a week.
Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said: "We have changed the rules to make sure even more people can get help with their mortgage payments if they lose their job.
"We have brought in changes as quickly as possible so people don't have to wait too long for this support. Every time someone loses their job it is a personal tragedy. Jobcentre Plus is on hand to help people get back to work as quickly as possible.
"But we will do everything we can to give people the real help they need. That is why we will give financial help towards mortgage payments for someone while they are looking for a job."
A second scheme is being finalised to allow householders to defer a proportion of their mortgage interest payments for up to two years, covered by a Government guarantee. which Mr Brown told the Commons last month had the backing of eight of the UK's major lenders.
Agencies