"The government is moving towards extending self-certification across other trades. From April 2006, competent persons will be required to self-certificate [sic] plumbing work, including unvented cylinders, to meet the compliance requirements of the Building Regulations. As /Gas Installer/ goes to press, we have yet to be informed of the complete criteria for entry and how this competency may be measured." (From CORGI's 'Gas Installer' magazine, November 2005 issue, just out.)
So there you have it: another meticulously thought-out scheme worked out in full consultation with all the relevant bodies and introduced in a measured timescale. Now might be a good time to let your elected representatives know what an unmitigated success Part P has been and how much you think the proposed regs will help consumers, the trades and responsible DIYers, perhaps with especial reference to the skills shortage and how having to pay through the nose for fancy registered plumbers and electricians because of the changes may affect your voting intentions.
Perhaps also your MP can find out how many lives these proposed measures (whatever they are) will save (and how).
ISTR the words "Regulatory Impact Assessment" from somewhere, too.