Inspectors have slammed ambulance services in Hampshire for a second year.

But bosses say they are missing targets because Westminster is moving the "goalposts".

The Government set four targets for ambulance trusts this year. Having missed all of them, Hampshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust was given a zero-star rating, the same as last year.

Two targets related to response times. Benchmark for eight-minute deadlines is 75%, but the trust only managed 74.01%. The target of 95% for 14 and 19-minute deadlines was also missed, at 93.04%

Financial management was also criticised, owing to a deficit of £1.7m. Goals for training and retention of staff were also missed.

Aside the main targets, the trust received the lowest possible score for answering phone calls and minimising complaints.

The results were announced by the independent Healthcare Commission on Wednesday. Of 31 ambulance services, only those in Avon, Wilts and Lincs equalled Hampshire's score.

Bosses insist they have turned the corner after big management changes. Former chief executive, Richard Mawson, was fired last summer and Sarah Murray, who chaired the trust, stood down soon after.

New boss, Claire Severgnini, said their performance in late 2003 led to the zero rating, and targets were now being met.

She added that Westminster did not announce how trusts would be assessed until several months into the annual exercise. "The star rating goalposts are changing every year."

Mrs Severgnini said the trust had a recovery plan to put it back on an even keel and clear its deficit.

She added: "I cannot praise enough the hard work and dedication of staff. I am disappointed their efforts have not been rewarded."

Romsey MP, Sandra Gidley, criticised the star rating system for harming staff morale. She said that while ambulance response times were important, the rest of the subjects under scrutiny were not so vital.

"I'm strongly of the opinion that to meet the targets, you need to spend money. I can't see any evidence that the ambulance service is wasting money."

Mark Oaten, MP for Winchester, said the trust had been in trouble for several years. "Now there are new managers in place, I'm hoping that improvements can be made," he added.