Angela Eagle MP, Labour’s Shadow Business Secretary, responding to the proposed privatisation of the Land Registry, said:

“This short-term privatisation will have long-term consequences; it could undermine confidence in Land Registry data, jeopardise the service to homebuyers, and erode conditions for their staff. The Government are privatising the profits of the Land Registry – which made a surplus of £100 million in 2012/13 – whilst retaining the risk.

“The Tory Government claim privatisation would enable the Land registry to become ‘even more efficient and effective.’ Yet when they last attempted privatisation in 2014, just five per cent of respondents to the consultation thought it would boost efficiency and effectiveness.

“This announcement was slipped out late on the last day before recess in another desperate attempt to avoid scrutiny. Labour will fight this unnecessary, un-evidenced and unwanted privatisation.”