Housing minister Yvette Cooper has said that the government’s plans to reinvigorate the housing market in the north of England and Midlands are to be reviewed. Speaking to the Guardian she said: “We need to review carefully the next wave of the programme. So we will certainly be asking a lot of questions about value for money [and] about the nature of the markets.” But she added: “Just expecting this to be done by refurbishment ignores experience. Some of these have had millions of pounds spent on refurbishment and it still has not turned the area around.” Cooper’s comments came as Liverpool city council delayed a decision on whether to carry out the government’s demolition plans in the Toxteth area. The council said it wanted extra time to carry out more consultation on the plan. The deferral of the decision has saved former Beatle Ringo Starr’s house from destruction.