It might look like a long history of pitiful mismanagement, but actually Ruth Kelly has been "phasing in" well thought-out policy changes. June 1 has been phased back to August 1. And HIPs will only be necessary , at first, for properties of four bedrooms or more. According to the funny little fellow, that's a "pragmatic way forward", not a very last-minute u-turn forced by a half-hatched new system that's the subject of a legal challenge and can't be implemented anyway due to a shortage of assessors. "Clarity to everyone", as Kelly said.