WIREDGOV

The government has yesterday taken the first step towards a full-scale sell-off of the Land Registry, PCS warns.

The union says plans to turn the well-respected and trusted 150-year-old institution into a government company (GovCo), or bring in other forms of private ownership, are unnecessary and politically motivated.

Executives at the Land Registry – which currently operates as a self-financing public body – have failed to make a coherent case for the change, the union says, and the risks far outweigh any perceived benefits.

The Land Registry has been a non-ministerial government department since 1862 and its staff are civil servants. A change in status would require legislation so it is no longer governed by statute.

As well as the loss of accountability to the public and MPs, the union says a move to a GovCo would put at risk the confidence that homebuyers and others have in the service.

The consultation document published today by the business department refers to the option of retaining the status quo but, unusually, this is not referred to in the consultation questions.

The union will be responding in full to the consultation, but its initial concerns about a GovCo or any form of privatisation include:

• A loss of public confidence and the ability to guard against fraud if a range of private firms are involved in maintaining the register
• The need for the Land Registry to play a key state role in dealing with the current housing crisis, including a regulatory role looking at land use and future planning
• Potential increased cost to homebuyers if the Land Registry is run for profit rather than in the public interest