Privatisation of Land Registery and Office Closures

westv

From what I've heard the "consultation" regarding taking the Land Registry into private hands will be no more than a paper pushing exercise. It appears that it WILL happen in 2017 no matter who believes it won't work. Alongside that it seems that more offices will close and more jobs will go. Apparently, the LR have picked out specific offices to be the "top picks" and the others will just be left to rot on the vine/be closed down.

westernpromise

Some useful taxpayer savings there then.

westv

westernpromise wrote: »

Some useful taxpayer savings there then.

You do realise that the LR makes money for the Government?

paddyrg

westv wrote: »

You do realise that the LR makes money for the Government?

Be interesting to see the income vs expenditure - these things are seldom cut and dried. The private body might well raise the same or more money, for instance.

zagubov

Why do I get the sinking feeling we'll all be reading about this in Private Eye soon enough. :doh:

Thrugelmir

westv wrote: »

You do realise that the LR makes money for the Government?

Yes. However properly implemented technology is reducing the requirement for pen pushers. There's also a drive to reduce the number of different sites in which Government departments are based. Plenty of under utilised space.

westernpromise

So if it makes money, you sell it for a price that reflects that.

If it makes £2 million a year you sell it for £150 million. The new owners make it more efficient and do the same for lower cost. So they make money, pensions invested in their stock make money, and George gets £150 million. Everyone wins.

westv

The current lack of staff and delays is leading to more complaints from customers. I guess this doesn't matter if the company makes enough profit in private hands.

westv

paddyrg wrote: »

Be interesting to see the income vs expenditure - these things are seldom cut and dried. The private body might well raise the same or more money, for instance.

From what I understand the LR is already run very efficiently so improved profit might only come from increased fees, restriction on previously free data or poorer service.

CLAPTON

westv wrote: »

From what I understand the LR is already run very efficiently so improved profit might only come from increased fees, restriction on previously free data or poorer service.

and where did this information come from?

Thrugelmir

westv wrote: »

From what I understand the LR is already run very efficiently so improved profit might only come from increased fees, restriction on previously free data or poorer service.

What's your measurement of efficient? Productivity, cost, use of occupied premises, use of technology. Compared to the private sector the public sector is light years behind. Culture is a major factor as well.