The Tories have stepped up their campaign against HIPs with two heavyweight statements yesterday reaffirming their total opposition.

EstateAgetToday.co.uk – 30 Jan 2009

Shadow housing minister Grant Shapps told Estate Agent Today: “Conservatives always warned that HIPs were a bad idea that would damage the housing market.

“We have voted against them at every stage in Parliament and just last week voted against the latest piece of Government HIPs gold-plating which means that sellers will from April have to fill in additional paperwork before even being able to market their own home.

“Taking all of this into account, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that we remain completely committed to abolishing HIPs. In these difficult times for hard-pressed home owners, I look forward to quickly and efficiently tearing away this utterly pointless piece of red tape.”

Owen Inskip, the special adviser on housing to the Conservatives, also went to lengths to deny that he has ever expressed support for HIPs.

Speaking at a conference of conveyancing lawyers last year, Inskip made some remarks which he says were mis-reported in a legal publication.

He said: “I have never said I liked HIPs. I don’t like them. Clearly, my remarks were misinterpreted.

“I did say that there is considerable advantage in learning the lessons and reviewing the HIPs debacle, but that is obviously very different from saying that I support HIPs.

He underlined that the Tories are fully committed to scrapping HIPs should they win the next election. “Grant Shapps, the shadow housing minister, has repeatedly said that he will get rid of HIPs,” said Inskip.  Article