The informal telephone survey of 60 local authorities operating the Government's Mortgage Rescue Scheme was conducted by officials at Communities and Local Government on 18 February 2009. The exercise was intended to provide an early indication of take-up among a cross-section of participating local authorities.
Formal monitoring arrangements for all local authorities are currently being finalised, and we expect regional data on the number of households receiving assistance under the scheme to be available from April 2009. Data on the number of completed rescues under the Mortgage Rescue Scheme will be published as part of the Homes and Communities Agency's annual reporting arrangements.
The Mortgage Rescue Scheme is publicised as part of the recently launched 'Real Help Now' campaign, which aims to ensure people are aware of the support available during the current downturn and how to access it at the earliest opportunity. Details are also available on the Communities and Direct Gov websites and it is referred to in the National Homelessness Advice Service leaflet “Are You Worried about your Mortgage? Get advice now”, which has been widely circulated to national advice and support services. Individual local authorities have also published literature publicising the scheme in their area and there has been extensive coverage in national and local media.