Valerie opposes the privatisation of the Land Registry

Valerie supports the calls from lawyers, PCS Union and others to stop the privatisation of HM Land Registry.

Valerie said:

“I am opposed to the Government’s proposed £1 billion sale of the Land Registry, a 150-year-old institution. There is no compelling case for privatisation of a government agency which returned a surplus of £98.8 million to the Treasury last year.”

“The Land Registry offers value for money, returns a surplus to the Treasury and has a customer satisfaction of 98 per cent. I have concerns that the Government’s consultation on privatisation does not give any credible reasons for its need.”

“I signed EDM 1105: Future of HM Land Registry. This calls on the Government to acknowledge the success of HM Land Registry in its current form and to stop its plans to privatise this trusted public service.”


EDM 1105: Future of HM Land Registry:

That this House recognises and appreciates the excellent services which HM Land Registry provides to the public, with customer satisfaction of 98 per cent; notes that HM Land Registry offers value for money, and as a trading fund regularly returns a surplus to HM Treasury; is concerned that the Government’s consultation on the introduction of a Land Registry service delivery company does not give any credible reasons for why a change of status is needed; further notes that Ministers are withholding key and detailed information about their future plans for the body, including proposed changes to the size and shape of the organisation; believes that this 150-year-old institution should remain within the Civil Service to ensure that public trust in the Registry’s impartiality and freedom to operate without the potential conflict of commercial interests remains; and calls on the Government to acknowledge the success of HM Land Registry in its current form and to stop its plans to privatise this successful and trusted public service.