It's summer, politicians are on
holiday and surfing dogs are in
the news.
So you'd be forgiven for missing this summer's change to a benefit
claimed by more than 100,000 people.
It's called Support for Mortgage Interest. Every year it dishes out
£170million to struggling homeowners who fall on hard times.
But not for long.
The free benefit is being axed and turned into a loan instead by the Tory
government. That loan will be secured on your house and billow with interest, a
bit like the mortgage itself.
Personal finance groups tell us it's "weakened the safety net" and "adds
to the pressure" on families in desperate need.
We've supposedly known about it for years - but it's only coming
into effect now. So what's happening, and should you be worried? Mirror
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