Hips 'were not reviewed' before being scrapped

Posted: 21 May 2010 16:09:54 GMT

Home information pack (Hip) providers have responded to the decision to permanently abolish the scheme.

Hips are no longer necessary following a suspension order that was issued yesterday (May 20th) by communities secretary Eric Pickles and housing minister Grant Shapps.

But members of the Association of Home Information Pack Providers (AHIPP) have reacted to the order, claiming Hips were not properly reviewed before being terminated.

Mike Ockenden, the organisation's director-general, said: "We are hugely disappointed … over 3,000 jobs will go and 10,000 will be affected as a result of the suspension of Hips and £100 million revenue will be lost to the Treasury in VAT receipts."

He added that even though the decision has been acknowledged by the AHIPP, it is still looking to consult with the coalition government about the positive aspects of Hips and the lessons that were learnt from them.

It has been suggested by Mr Shapps that although there is a view to abolish Hips altogether, the government still wants to keep Energy Performance Certificates in place in order to promote a greener housing market.



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