SNP MSP Bob Doris has repeated his calls for the UK Government to legislate on sale and rent back and for the Treasury to exert more influence on state owned banks like Northern Rock to act responsibly when handling repossessions.

The practice of sale and rent back, where those facing repossession sell their homes and should be able to remain in them by paying rent is unregulated and the SNP is joining the Office of Fair Trading in calling for the UK Government to regulate, what is a reserved area of the financial services market.

Glasgow MSP Bob Doris said: "No one wants to see repossessions take place and that is why the SNP Government took early action to ensure home owners could be protected and that alternatives to repossession are available.

"To get through this recession we need to work together.  The most useful action Labour could take right now is to persuade their Westminster colleagues to legislate for the regulation of sale and rent back providers- a move called for by the SNP and the Office of Fair Trading.

"Instead of focusing on a piece of paper that has no legal effect, Labour should look to their London colleagues for real legislation to prevent abuses of the sale and rent back market.

"With Northern Rock and other banks now owned by the taxpayer the UK Labour Government should be using it's new role to ensure repossessions are done responsibly - there has been a complete failure of the Treasury to accept this responsibility.

"In contrast the SNP has established the £35 million home owners support fund, expanded legal support services in courts, enabled 1 million more Scots to access legal aid and established a working group to see what additional legal measures could offer further protection to Scots."