Shropshire Star

Telford MP Lucy Allan says she cannot support sale of Land Registry

Telford's MP has said she could "not support" a sale of the Land Registry if it was not in the interest of her constituents.

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Lucy Allan MP

Lucy Allan spoke in the House of Commons during a backbench debate on the ongoing consultation on the privatisation of the service.

Raised by Tottenham MP David Lammy, members from both sides of the house voiced concern about the plans during the debate yesterday.

Many said it does not make sense to privatise the service, which has made a profit for 19 of the past 20 years and has a 96 per cent satisfaction rating with its users.

Ms Allan spoke on behalf of the some 300 Telford employees of the Land Registry and said the service was an "important part" of Telford's fabric and history.

She said that she would ensure that those jobs are secured for the future.

She said: "Today Telford is a thriving, dynamic town at the cutting edge of new technology, but that has not always been so.

"Back in 1980s when the Land Registry came to Telford, it was an employment blackspot and it gave Telford an boost."

Ms Allan added that people from across Telford have a "genuine attachment and concern for future" of the service.

Last week, Ms Allan held a meeting with workers from Telford's land registry office and representatives from the PCS union.

She said: "Those members of staff I have met are long serving, highly experienced members of staff.

"Land registry will continue to evolve and modernise as an efficient business.

"But I will do everything I can in this place to ensure jobs remain in Telford.

"I am sure people on both sides of house can agree, what matters is people and jobs and not politics.

"I would really welcome a collaborative cross party approach on this."

Lucy also raised concerns about taxpayer value for money in any future sale of the land registry, which currently generates a profit of around £100 million a year with media reports suggesting a sale price of around £1 billion.

Speaking after the debate, Ms Allan said: "After meeting with Telford land registry staff last week it was important that I raised their concerns in Parliament.

"I've pledged to be my constituents' voice in Westminster and I will continue to do so.

Opening the debate, Mr Lammy said that the Land Registry was a "unique asset."

He added: "Any short term profit from any sale would be dwarfed by the increased costs to anyone who uses the surface."

He said that any sale of the service would be "daylight robbery" and a "national scandal."

Union members say the move would put the jobs of 300 people working at Land Registry offices in Telford under threat. It is a major employer in the town.

Ms Allan previously met with Business Secretary, Sajid Javid MP to discuss the plans and its implication on Telford.

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