Lancashire homeowners demand action over huge legal bills

Ian Lofthouse, 75, is among those facing huge bills

A group of Lancashire homeowners who face huge legal bills after the collapse of a law firm have met to demand government intervention.

More than 70 came together in Burnley to call for the government to step in.

They were encouraged to sue on a no-win no-fee basis after claiming cavity wall insulation caused mould and damp in their homes.

But they received demands for up to £40,000 after the Sheffield-based SSB Law firm went bust.

One man told the BBC he had been left feeling suicidal due to receiving a large bill.

The cavity wall insulation was installed under a government scheme, with the BBC told 1,500 people across the north of England and Wales could be affected.

The residents met to call for urgent help, with pressure mounting as MPs from all parties are joining the calls.

Residents came together in Burnley to call for the government to step in

Ian Lofthouse, 75, from Burnley said he was on anti-depressants due to the stress of getting a £7,000 bill.

"It's the last thing I think about at night. It's the first thing I think about in the morning," he said.

Geraldine Sharp believes she owes about £13,000 but there is a figure of more than £17,000 on her paperwork.

She said: "I feel exhausted. I can't sleep. I'm phoning my family up all hours of the night crying, getting upset.

"I'm 73, where am I going to get that kind of money from?"

Geraldine Sharp said she had been in tears over the legal bills

She said she had been assured by SSB Law that her insurance would protect her from costs if her claim failed.

But when SSB Law went bust she found herself liable.

Antony Higginbotham, MP for Burnley, raised the issue in Parliament after a BBC investigation exposed the matter.

He said 100 people in his constituency alone had contacted him for help.

He added: "This was 100% a government-backed scheme that installed insulation using taxpayers' money and so the government has got to work with MPs, with the people impacted to put this right.

"It is undoubtedly a scandal."

A legal bill received by one of about 1,500 homeowners following the collapse of SSB Law

MPs across the country have now signed a motion calling for the government to ensure all demands for payment are dropped and for an independent investigation.

Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne signed the motion, saying there had been "terrible suffering" due to this, with "people potentially talking about taking their own lives".

The BBC has made repeated attempts to contact the directors of SSB Law, which is in administration, but it has not been possible to reach them.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: "We are liaising with the Solicitor's Regulation Authority on the collapse of SSB Law.

"The SRA has confirmed that it is aware of many householders' concerns and is investigating the issues raised.

"It would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

A Department of Levelling Up spokesperson said: "The UK has one of the strongest consumer protection regimes in the world including serious penalties for those who fail comply with our building regulations.

"Local authority trading standards offices can investigate poor trading practices, any breaches of these standards can lead to enforcement notices, prosecution and unlimited fines."