Sorry, if your going to write a story like this then tell us the rate in meaningful terms ie EUR1.23!

Morgan, London,

How much more damage will this government be allowed to inflict on this country?

SA, Monmouth,

Pound goes down against the Euro and Dollar. The UK National Debt goes UP. But we are in the best position of the G8 to weather the crisis. PULL THE OTHER ONE DO!

m. cawdery, Craigavon, Co. UK, EU

The BoE interest rate should go UP! It will catch out the short sellers, dampen the cost inflation due to currency depreciation and make little difference to the housing market - the debt defaulting will run at current rates for a long time yet.

What incompetence from Darling and Brown!

Andrew Cox, Marlow, UK

This explains recent apocalyptic speeches by policy makers.
Since the BOE is not reducing rates the same effect can be obtained by devaluing the pound. Unfortunately for the population at large this will drive up prices and inflation.

Jim, Belfast, NI

That's not that bad....the euro fell as low as 58p.....and we survived! Once the pound reaches 85p the treasury should start negotiating euro membership and when she reaches 90p time will be ripe to switch to the euro. You can't imagine how easy life has come on that side of the Channel. Really.

pascal-pierre, Dinan, EU (France)

So the only answer the government has is increase spending? I can't believe it. Haven't they just had to learn their lesson the hard way? Carry on borrowing until this ship sinks. When will this inept gaggle of chancers finally go?

Delphine, Oxford,

Has any one seen how much it cost a month to run shared equity scheme , it would in alot of cases cost less if you could get a full mortgage for that amount! This is just another scheme to prop up builders who have paid into labour.Let the prices drop. This is another way to fool people into debt.

Dully, Redhill, UK

'.....said today that the government was aimed at "people who need just that little bit extra help to keep them afloat" '

Sounds about right.

John, London, United Kingdom

dither, dither, dither. mind you at this rate the pound will soon achieve parity with the euro. is that the plan? or is it really like the m&s adverts - no plan b?

Philip Barnes, preston, england

This is just sub-prime lending by the public sector - now funded by the taxpayer instead of imprudent banks. The public purse will be plunged further into debt to prop up housebuyers spending what they cannnot afford. Labour is acting true to its natural instincts to mess with the market.

Paul, Wolverhampton,

We have been told this was money the govt. intended spending anyway, in a couple of years time. On what exactly? And interest-free loans still equals more DEBT, in any language. What if global economic conditions continue to get worse... what then?

Mike, London,

Isn't it odd that we all look at the black side of everything? Not two minutes ago people were complaining about the "strength" of the £ and its detrimental effect on exports such as the Airbus. Won't a weaker £ now make us more competitive?
Come on you so-called experts - make your minds up!

David Cotterell, Cheltenham, Uk

Yes Alistair, speculators are attacking the pound and the BoE should according to you accede to them.

Paul, Coventry,

Base Rate should be cut now the market has already factored them in and it will end some of the speculation against sterling.

Alastair, Rye, UK