Land Registry privatisation 'would put 300 Telford jobs at risk'

It comes after councillors debated a motion to call on the Government to "abort" the privatisation of the service, which employs about 300 people in the borough.

Despite a heated debate between Labour and Conservative members of Telford & Wrekin Council, both parties agreed unanimously to support the motion.

Raised by Labour council leader Councillor Shaun Davies, the notice of motion was heard at a full council meeting at Telford College of Arts and Technology on Thursday.

Councillor Davies said that the privatisation could see jobs lost and the key employer lost from the town.

He said the Land Registry had served the country for more than 150 years, making £100 million in surplus money for the country this year alone, bringing in a profit in 19 of the last 20 years and winning a 95 per cent satisfaction rate with users.

Councillor Davies said: "It could impact up to 300 people who work at Telford's Land Registry, 50 per cent of whom live in Telford.

"There is a two to one split of female to male employees so it would be an attack on working women.

"If these jobs went it would have a huge detrimental impact.

"It would have a massive, massive impact on the Telford & Wrekin economy and be a huge blow for those staff working for the Land Registry."

The motion was seconded by Councillor Angela McClements who said that studies had shown that every 100 jobs lost in an area has an £3 million impact on spending power – meaning the loss of Land Registry jobs could affect Telford to the tune of £9 million.

But Conservative leader Councillor Andrew Eade said he was "bemused" by the motion, describing it as "premature."

He added that the privatisation of the Ministry of Defence and subsequent investment in the Donnington base, which both protected existing jobs and brought in 700 more, showed there was no guarantee that privatisation would mean a loss of roles in Telford.

Conservative Councillor Nigel Dugmore agreed that "no one could possibly know what would happen" if the service was to be privatised.

However Councillor Davies claimed that the investment in the new logistics hub at MOD Donnington was down to the negotiation of Labour councillors and that privatisation meant they had to fight to bring the service to Telford.

Despite a heated debate, the councillors unanimously agreed to support the motion.