Government division on HIPs continues

With HIPs set to launch in June, the Conservatives have called for the packs to be annulled. In an early day motion, David Cameron, leader of the Conservatives, called for HIPs to be scrapped. In a separate motion, Cameron called for the energy performance of buildings to also be annulled.

However, Housing Minster Yvette Cooper, said: “The home buying and selling process has barely changed for a generation. Other industries and markets have seen substantial changes driven by competition, consumer expectations, new technology and innovation – driving down costs, improving efficiency, increasing the range and variety of services, and speeding up the process. Not home buying and selling.

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“In fact the reverse has happened. In many areas the overall cost of the industry services you need to buy and sell your home has gone up considerably faster than average earnings.”

Alan Dring, sales director at eConveyancer, said: “Cameron’s decision was disappointing as it does nothing to help the consumer. HIPs are too far along now for things to change rapidly, although I have always stated that HIPs will not be in the same form by 2010.”

The Liberal Democrats also expressed concern over plans, and called for the introduction of a ‘green mortgage.’

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