Conservatives fail to abolish home packs

Conservatives fail to abolish home packs

The Conservatives have failed in their bid to force the government to overturn plans for a controversial home information pack (Hip), with MPs voting to retain the legislation.

A motion to have the packs scrapped ahead of their proposed introduction on June 1 was defated by 306 to 234, giving the government a majority of 72 over the Tories.

The defeat followed a 90-minute debate about the plans, which saw the Conservative shadow housing minister, Michael Gove, brand the packs as a "folly" and claim that VAT on them would lead to a "significant tax take" for the Treasury.

The introduction of an energy performance certificate (EPC) meant that like white goods, properties would be rated to help people see where they could save energy and money.

Housing minister, Yvette Cooper, argued that the plans were "sensible and practical".

"How can people be expected to make the improvements to their homes if they do not have the information about what will make a difference?," she said.

"It makes it possible for the first time for people to think about making efficiency improvements to their homes."

Ms Cooper said the EPCs could help cut carbon emissions by almost a million tonnes a year, as well as reduce fuel bills.

The rest of the Hip merely contains legal and search documents already required when buying and selling a home, she argued, but are instead gathered at the start of the process to speed it up and improve competition.

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insisted the government had made changes to the packs in response to consultation and trials, and pledged: "We will continue to work with stakeholders across the industry on the implementation of them."

Green groups welcomed the outcome of the vote.

Friends of the Earth's green homes campaigner, Dave Timms, said: "EPCs, which are supported by all parties, will help homeowners tackle climate change and save money. It would have been a tragedy had they become a casualty of the row over home information packs.

"UK homes are responsible for over a quarter of UK carbon dioxide emissions. It is crucial that this vital measure is not delayed. We hope the Lords will also give their backing when they vote next week."

Earlier today, Mr Gove said the new regulations would increase the cost of moving and discourage potential sellers from advertising their homes.

"Home information packs will be the biggest, jarring, intervention in the housing market since Nigel Lawson abolished mortgage interest tax relief," said Mr Gove.

"History teaches us that you play politics with people's homes at your peril. But that is just what Labour ministers are doing."

Yesterday, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors said it planned to go to court over the plans for the pack, as ministers had failed to consult properly prior to bringing in the new regulations.

The initial hearing will take place next week, days ahead of the pack's introduction on June 1.

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