The number of people who lost their homes soared by more than 50 per cent during 2008 to hit a 12-year high.

A total of 40,000 properties were repossessed last year, up from 25,900 in 2007, the Council of Mortgage Lenders said.

The group predicts the number will rise further this year with 75,000 people having their properties repossessed as the fallout of the economic downturn worsens and they fail to keep up with mortgage repayments.

The grim statistics will add to pressure on the Government as it is revealed a scheme designed to stop people losing their homes has yet to help a single person.

The Ministry of Justice also released figures showing the number of repossession orders made by courts in England and Wales during the final quarter of 2008.

A total of 29,095 orders were made, on a seasonally adjusted basis, 14 per cent higher than during the same period of 2007, but broadly unchanged from the previous quarter.

Unlike the CML figures, which show the actual number of people who lost their homes, the MoJ ones show the number of repossession orders that were made, not all of which will lead to homes being taken over by lenders.

The data has been released amid claims the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme, announced in December, has still not been implemented by lenders, who are seeking more clarity and guarantees from the Government.

Announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to the Commons, it would allow households with loans of up to £400,000 to defer interest payments for up to two years if they suffered a sudden and temporary loss of income.

Mr Brown told MPs the country's eight biggest lenders had agreed to sign up.

Adam Sampson, chief executive of Shelter said: "Government has been guilty of rushing to announce schemes before the details are finalised.

"What that does is to give many people who are facing repossessions hope that something immediately will happen and in practice help is in some cases six months or more away.

"The false hope that some of them have been given by the too-early announcement of some of these schemes has only compounded the stress they're already feeling."

Housing Minister Margaret Beckett said: "We are determined to do everything possible to ensure repossession is always a last resort, and are taking action to give real help now to households most in need.

"Our mortgage rescue scheme is up and running, more free legal and debt support is available than ever before, and we have increased financial assistance to help people pay their mortgage if they've lost their job.

"Lenders are playing their part too by agreeing to give more time to help households get back on track, and they are working urgently with us on the detail of our new scheme that should offer a safety net to families if they suffer a sudden drop in income in the current economic climate."

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of homeless people's charity Crisis, said: "Today's repossession statistics make for grim reading, and prove the recession is well and truly beginning to bite for the real economy and real people.

"We fear this many people losing their homes can only lead to an increase in homelessness."

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