Last Minute HIPs Changes Shows Government's Incompetence

12.48.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 23rd May 2007

Local Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt, has criticised Ruth Kelly's emergency statement to the House of Commons, on Home Information Packs.

Richard commented: "Being forced to delay the introduction of HIPs last year showed the Government's poor judgement; this last minute u-turn reveals its complete incompetence.

"While the Government says the reason for the change is the looming legal battle, it also admits there aren't enough trained energy assessors to inspect all the properties coming on the market.

"The piecemeal implementation of this jinxed scheme will only result in yet more confusion for buyers and sellers.

"This is another black mark on the Government's environmental record. Tackling climate change requires improving the energy efficiency of existing homes, but the one measure proposed by ministers is now delayed because of their bungling."