An evaluation of the January 2009 arrangements for support for mortgage interest

In January 2009, a range of temporary measures were put in place that were intended to provide additional help to owner-occupiers who were eligible to claim out-of-work benefit, to avoid house repossession during the economic downturn. The new arrangements for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) provided enhanced support for eligible mortgagors, who would be able to receive help after a shorter, 13 week waiting period compared to the previous 39...