The DCLG's permanent secretary, Peter Housden, and housing minister, Yvette Cooper, have been criticised by MPs over the introduction of home information packs (HIP). MPs on the communities committee said they were not convinced by the reasons given for the delays, and the phased introduction of the controversial packs. Mr Housden had blamed a lack of qualified home inspectors and ‘conditions in the housing market' for the delays. But the committee said the department had failed to engage effectively with stakeholders, and the delay had been because potential inspectors were reluctant to pay out for training ‘for jobs the Government would not guarantee would exist'.
