READERS are appalled after it was revealed more households were threatened with homelessness through no-fault evictions in Barrow last autumn than before the pandemic.

Despite a recent pledge from the Government to scrap them, landlords are still able to evict tenants through a section 21 notice, which can provide tenants with as little as eight weeks’ notice to leave – sometimes without reason – once the fixed term in their tenancy agreement expires.

Data from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities shows nine households in Barrow were made homeless or put at risk of homelessness between October and December last year after being served with section 21 notices.

Charlie Dowthwaite said: "The fact that more and more people are at risk of losing the roof over their heads through no fault of their own is an indictment of this government and its policies on housing.

"This Tory government has no policy on housing vulnerable people who face eviction on a daily basis and is happily prepared to stand back and allow people to sleep in shop doorways, benchs' and the streets.

"Also empty properties can be easily renovated, all it takes is for the sensible minded people to acquire them and employ the workers to renovate them up to decent living standards.

"It is not a big job, not as big as building Trident warheads."

Gordon Long said: "Lockdowns destroyed this country economically."

Danni Gee said: "The answer would be to close tax loopholes and make the corporations and the super/Uber rich pay a hugely increased yearly tax contribution like the rest of us have to."