Review of the Papers, Wednesday 23 May

The government's policy on reforming the housing market was thrown into disarray last night as the communities secretary, Ruth Kelly, was forced into a last-minute retreat over the controversial introduction of home information packs. The packs, which were due to come into force next week to accompany every property sale, have been postponed until August 1 and at first will be introduced only for four-bedroom or larger houses - less than 20% of the market.

http://money.guardian.co.uk/hips/story/0,,2085941,00.html 

Britain's most senior judges last night moved into open revolt against the government after eight weeks of talks broke down over safeguards for the independence of the judiciary following the creation of the Ministry of Justice.

http://politics.guardian.co.uk/homeaffairs/story/0,,2085960,00.html 

The government was accused of deflecting the road-pricing backlash on to local authorities yesterday as it pushed ahead with pay-as-you-drive trials.

http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2086034,00.html

Labour risks squandering its reputation for upholding good public services as voters become increasingly alienated by the government's public sector reform programme, a group of broadly Blairite ministers and thinkers admit in a new book.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/guardianpolitics/story/0,,2085927,00.html 

Tony Blair has given the go-ahead for the purchase of two aircraft costing £100 million for Gordon Brown and the Queen to fly around the world on official visits.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/politics/article1826731.ece 

Plans to build 160,000 new homes as part of a massive regeneration programme in the South East are in danger of collapse, the public spending watchdog warns today. The National Audit Office blames Ruth Kelly’s Communities Department for failing to produce a coherent, fully costed plan for the Thames Gateway programme.

http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life-and-style/property/article1827008.ece