UNIONS welcomed a government decision yesterday to postpone plans to privatise the Land Registry.

A government source said new ministers were taking time to consider options before making a decision on the future of the agency, which records the ownership of land and property.

The original proposal was part of a programme of possible sell-offs by the Treasury under former chancellor George Osborne, aimed at raising £5 billion by 2020.

Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “We showed two years ago, and again this time round, that selling off the Land Registry would be stupid and wrong, serving only private companies looking to profit from homeowners’ data.

“We welcome the government’s pause, but the plan should be scrapped in its entirety, never to see the light of day again, and the Land Registry should remain fully in public hands.”

A government source added: “A consultation on the Land Registry’s future closed in May and we are carefully considering our response.”