MR and Mrs Worth explain in their letter (March 2) that they are struggling to pay their mortgage but their lender will not agree to them selling up and reducing the mortgage.

As they say, this is incomprehensible.

In view of recent government legislation with regard to support with mortgage interest payments (SMI) my own view would be most certainly not to move.

To move will cost several thousand pounds. You should not have to move through redundancy.

You have done the right thing in applying to downsize. Your lender’s refusal to co-operate stands against them.

Government mortgage interest payment is available for the full mortgage at 6.08 per cent from the 13th week of unemployment. You should be entitled to this help but the system is heavily over-loaded. It is important to apply.

In the meantime tell your lender you will pay interest only until either your SMI is paid or you’re back in work.

The legislation, the Homeowners Mortgage Support Scheme, is there to protect families and keep people in their homes. If the matter should ever come to court all the above aspects will stand in your favour.

Jeff Williams, Jubilee Road, Branksome