Davis adds to Hips attack

Conservative MP David Davis has added his voice to calls for the government to suspend home information packs (Hips), which he said has contributed to the slowdown in the housing market.

The former shadow home secretary has argued that Hips has held back speculative selling and made transactions costlier, report the Goole Courier.

He added: "Ministers ignored warnings from experts and industry that this new red tape would harm the housing market and the economy."

Mr Davis followed this call by arguing for a suspension of stamp duty, claiming that the government's recent refusal to confirm or deny that such a move is in the pipeline is encouraging a "wait and see" attitude among buyers that will reduce transactions.

The sentiments expressed by Mr Davis echo those stated to the Sheffield Star by Spencer Pitfield, the party's parliamentary prospective candidate for Penistone and Stocksbridge, earlier this week.

Those self building their homes will be able to avoid dealing with Hips by doing so.