How surprised are we in the architectural profession that another government promise has been broken (Shapps delays definition of zero carbon, 30 July, building.co.uk)?

Not very is the answer. Shapps is just another talking head trotting out daft ideas without any idea at all of the consequences for ordinary mortals with real jobs and heating bills. If the construction industry declines at the present rate for much longer, the government will be staring at 5 million unemployed and streets littered with homeless people who cannot afford their mortgages or heating bills.

If Shapps and his ilk could venture out of London to talk to some real people outside the cosy cocoon of that city, he would discover a very different Britain, full of very worried working people wondering when the axe will fall on them.

Philip Newbold

Topics