The government's campaign to stamp out rogue traders is set to start in disarray because of a split over who will run it.
The DETR has set up a steering group to look after the quality mark scheme while industry groups debate who should do the job in the long term. An industry source said that the 10-strong group would co-ordinate the first pilot, in Birmingham.
The Construction Industry Board was a popular choice to run the mark but has withdrawn from the reckoning. CIB chief executive Don Ward said: "Our name suggests that we would not be independent. We disagree but it is about perception." Construction Industry Council chief executive Graham Watts called for the process to be slowed down until the issue of who was running the scheme was settled.
