The Land Registry plans to cut a further 1,500 jobs, on top of the 1,800 which have been lost since June 2008.

The UK’s Land Registry has announced cost-cutting plans which will see the closure of five of its regional offices, with the loss of 1,500 jobs, blaming the collapse in the housing market.

As part of a ‘reorganisation and transformation programme’ 1,100 jobs will go with the closure of offices in Peterborough, Stevenage, Croydon, Tunbridge Wells and Portsmouth. An additional number of roles are set to disappear through a reduction in clerical staff from 600 to around 125.

The plan, which the Land Registry hopes will cut costs significantly – by around £92 million a year – as well as help deliver the level of service customer’s demand, has been set out over five years. The Land Registry says it has already begun an initial 12-week public consultation to close the aforementioned offices. A programme of outsourcing some of its support functions, in addition to selling surplus property is also in the plans.

Peter Collis, Chief Land Registrar and Chief Executive, commented: “These proposals were not arrived at easily. The collapse in the housing market last year had a serious and significant effect on our work and income and we lost nearly £130 million.”

Mr Collis added: “We value our loyal and dedicated staff and will do whatever we can to lessen the impact this will have on them.”

The company said that despite the cost-cutting action it has already taken, it still expects to make a loss this year.

The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS) condemned the Land Registry’s decision and warned that services to the public would inevitably suffer, and the closure of regional offices will have a major impact on local economies.

Mark Serwotka, PCS General Secretary, said: “Staff are shocked and angry about these plans. With 1,700 jobs already gone there is real danger that services to the public will suffer as the agency is cut to the bone.

“Added to job cuts and office closures, staff have the double whammy of privatisation hanging over their heads.”