The government has completely bungled the introduction of Home Information Packs, which were due to be launched next week. The Liberal Democrats have long been warning the government that their plans as they stood were unworkable. They had not processed or published the results of their pilot studies or trained enough inspectors for the task.

Just 10 days before their introduction, the government admitted that this was indeed the case. Just 520 of the 2,500 inspectors required had qualified, and their proposals would certainly have damaged the housing market.

The Minister has now announced a confusing, botched way forward for the packs. HIPs will be introduced for four bedroom homes on 1 August, and she will make further announcements on what should happen for all other homes 'towards the end of the year'.

The chaos surrounding HIPs means that Energy Performance Certificates will be significantly delayed for the majority of homes, possibly for years. These are urgently needed to make the energy efficiency standard of a home clear to buyers, and to recommend ways of improving the home's rating. Armed with this information, home-buyers will be able to save money on fuel bills and help tackle climate change.

The Liberal Democrats will be demanding that the Government resurrect the Energy Performance Certificates out of the wreckage of HIPs and implement these at the point of sale of all homes as soon as possible.