The Conservatives have welcomed a government "climbdown" on plans for mandatory house-sellers' packs.

As MPs debated the Housing Bill, ministers accepted a "suspension clause" that would allow the requirement for the packs to be suspended without further legislation if trials prove a failure.

The decision marks a compromise with the House of Lords, where a Tory amendment had been passed to make the packs voluntary rather than compulsory.

Ministers say the legislation will speed up house sales and make the process easier, but the Conservatives have warned that the plans could be unworkable.

And following Wednesday's compromise, shadow housing minister John Hayes said that the government had "realised that it can't just force through these packs without first dealing with the legitimate concerns of housing professionals".

"The case for these packs has still not been sufficiently made," he warned.

"Sellers will be saddled with an extra cost of £1000, lenders are still likely to demand their own assessments, and many buyers will want their own survey instead of the one they are given.

"The government will struggle to prove that these packs can work."

Hayes added that with legislation allowing proper monitoring of the scheme it can now be "dropped altogether" if it proves unsuccessful.