Halt repossessions, the government is being urged.
A leading trade union is urging Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling to introduce a freeze on repossessions in the upcoming pre-budget report. Unite claims such a move is necessary to kick-start the economy and prevent a major downturn.
The recommendation is one of ten submitted to the prime minister and the chancellor to protect the British people from the "triple danger of redundancy, repossession and rising prices". It is also calling for the creation of one million new affordable homes.
"We are calling on Gordon Brown to save our homes and do everything possible to protect our jobs," said Unite's joint general secretary Derek Simpson.
"As times get tougher, Labour must continue to command the economy and support those people most likely to suffer thanks to the greed and irresponsibility of the bankers," he added.
A recent survey by the homeless charity St Mungo's revealed that 80 percent of people in the UK feel the government should be taking more action to halt the increase in repossessions.
Figures from the Financial Services Authority show that between April and June this year, some 11,054 homes were repossessed. This represents an increase of 71 percent compared to the second quarter of 2007.
