13.04.16
PCSU oppose privatisation of Land Registry
The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) has declared its opposition to privatising the Land Registry, warning that the “dangerous” plan is being driven by short-term political choice.
In their submission to the government consultation on selling the registry, which lists ownership of land and property in England and Wales, PCSU says it may leave it open to commercial conflicts of interest, threatening the stability of the housing market and infrastructure projects such as HS2.
The union also says that the auditing and monitoring process could be less thorough with a private company, creating a risk of fraud.
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the PCSU, said: “This sell-off plan is being driven by short-term political choice, not economic necessity, and is deeply dangerous.”
The PCSU also said that the Land Registry has paid £246m to the Treasury in the past two years, reduced fees to customers, received a 95% customer satisfaction rating, increased total land registration in England and Wales from 48% to 85%, and introduced digitisation to improve its services.
It also says that as an independent body, the Land Registry can use its resources to help tackle tax evasion, as exposed recently in the Panama Papers, whereas a private company might lack the incentive to do so.
In 2014 the government shelved plans to replace the Land Registry with a ‘GovCo’ joint venture after opposition from their Liberal Democrat coalition partners.
The consultation is open until 26 May. To take part, click here.