This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6660555.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Tories call to scrap home packs Tories call to scrap home packs
(10 minutes later)
The Conservatives are making a House of Commons effort to kill off plans to introduce Home Information Packs.The Conservatives are making a House of Commons effort to kill off plans to introduce Home Information Packs.
The government argues that packs will cut the number of transactions which fall through and encourage people to make homes more energy efficient.The government argues that packs will cut the number of transactions which fall through and encourage people to make homes more energy efficient.
But the Tories say they will increase costs without achieving those goals.But the Tories say they will increase costs without achieving those goals.
From 1 June, homes put up for sale in England and Wales must have a HIP, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate.From 1 June, homes put up for sale in England and Wales must have a HIP, costing at least £300, with title deeds and an energy performance certificate.
The Conservative motion, which will be debated on Wednesday from about 1245 BST, has been tabled by leader David Cameron and shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman.The Conservative motion, which will be debated on Wednesday from about 1245 BST, has been tabled by leader David Cameron and shadow communities secretary Caroline Spelman.
PACKS WILL INCLUDE Evidence of titleCopies of planning, listed building or building regulations consentsA local searchGuarantees for any work on the propertyAn energy performance certificate. Q&A: Home Information PacksPACKS WILL INCLUDE Evidence of titleCopies of planning, listed building or building regulations consentsA local searchGuarantees for any work on the propertyAn energy performance certificate. Q&A: Home Information Packs
The party wants the energy performance certificates, which are included in HIPs, to be introduced separately.The party wants the energy performance certificates, which are included in HIPs, to be introduced separately.
Energy performance certificates would give sellers and would-be buyers information on the property's energy efficiency, as well as tips on how the energy efficiency of the home could be improved.Energy performance certificates would give sellers and would-be buyers information on the property's energy efficiency, as well as tips on how the energy efficiency of the home could be improved.
They would also ensure that the UK complies with an EU directive which comes into force in 2009.They would also ensure that the UK complies with an EU directive which comes into force in 2009.
Ms Spelman said: "Conservatives have continually asked the government to press ahead with the implementation of energy performance certificates free from the additional red tape of the rest of the HIP regulations.Ms Spelman said: "Conservatives have continually asked the government to press ahead with the implementation of energy performance certificates free from the additional red tape of the rest of the HIP regulations.
"In Northern Ireland the certificates are being implemented by the government without the introduction of Home Information Packs. Ministers should simply implement this directive without gold-plating.""In Northern Ireland the certificates are being implemented by the government without the introduction of Home Information Packs. Ministers should simply implement this directive without gold-plating."
Judicial challengeJudicial challenge
The Commons vote comes a day after Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it would seek a judicial review because the government had not consulted properly on the law. The Commons vote comes a day after Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said it would seek a judicial review because the government had not consulted properly on the law.
"It is unprecedented for a professional body to challenge the government in this way. It only emphasises how shambolic the government's handling of HIPs has been," said shadow housing minister Michael Gove."It is unprecedented for a professional body to challenge the government in this way. It only emphasises how shambolic the government's handling of HIPs has been," said shadow housing minister Michael Gove.
"It is still not too late for the government to think again in the interests of stability in the housing market. I hope they will use the debate to acknowledge their mistakes," he added."It is still not too late for the government to think again in the interests of stability in the housing market. I hope they will use the debate to acknowledge their mistakes," he added.
HAVE YOUR SAY We have put our house on the market a month early simply to avoid the cost of these packs Laura Berbank, Medway Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY We have put our house on the market a month early simply to avoid the cost of these packs Laura Berbank, Medway Send us your comments
Jeremy Leaf from RICS said the packs would make it "more expensive and more difficult" for people to put their homes on the market, as well as being less "green" than they could be.Jeremy Leaf from RICS said the packs would make it "more expensive and more difficult" for people to put their homes on the market, as well as being less "green" than they could be.
Among its criticisms were that there was a lack of trained staff ready for the 1 June implementation and called for a delay of a few months.Among its criticisms were that there was a lack of trained staff ready for the 1 June implementation and called for a delay of a few months.
Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said 2,000 inspectors had already passed their exams, with another 3,000 in training.Housing Minister Yvette Cooper said 2,000 inspectors had already passed their exams, with another 3,000 in training.
'Like fridges''Like fridges'
She dismissed RICS calls for a delay, saying: "We do think that given the threat from climate change that we need to get on with this as fast as possible.She dismissed RICS calls for a delay, saying: "We do think that given the threat from climate change that we need to get on with this as fast as possible.
"The main element in the home information pack...is the energy performance certificate. It's giving you a fridge rating for your home - it's the kind of information we've always had on washing machines, dishwashers.""The main element in the home information pack...is the energy performance certificate. It's giving you a fridge rating for your home - it's the kind of information we've always had on washing machines, dishwashers."
She added: "We feel it is right that this information is done before you put your home on the market so that it can be there in the estate agents window...so that we get used to our homes being advertised in the same way that fridges are."She added: "We feel it is right that this information is done before you put your home on the market so that it can be there in the estate agents window...so that we get used to our homes being advertised in the same way that fridges are."
Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Andrew Stunell said "government incompetence...had botched" the packs' introduction, but his party still supported the energy certificates.Liberal Democrat local government spokesman Andrew Stunell said "government incompetence...had botched" the packs' introduction, but his party still supported the energy certificates.
"This fiasco should not be allowed to affect energy performance certificates, which should go ahead to give people buying a home the information they need to save money on fuel bills and tackle climate change.""This fiasco should not be allowed to affect energy performance certificates, which should go ahead to give people buying a home the information they need to save money on fuel bills and tackle climate change."
Environmental groups Friends of the Earth, WWF-UK and the Campaign to Protect Rural England urged MPs not to vote to delay the packs' introduction as this would delay the energy performance certificates.Environmental groups Friends of the Earth, WWF-UK and the Campaign to Protect Rural England urged MPs not to vote to delay the packs' introduction as this would delay the energy performance certificates.