This is the sort of story that makes one despair about politics. Housing Minister John Healey, on a BBC phone-in, tells the presenter that for some people, 'having their home repossessed can be the best option'. Listen to a clip of his remarks here. I think you will agree that they are said with a sensitivity to the suffering that repossession undoubtedly cause those who are losing their homes.

The Conservatives are making mischief. Read their comments.

John Healey is absolutely right. Repossessions are part of our system and sometimes houses will have to repossessed. Are Conservatives really saying that houses should never be repossessed? Are they suddenly not so keen on the market economy.

The important figures for me are those that show that far fewer homes have been repossessed in the current recession than were repossessed in the recessions of the Conservative years.