The Land Registry avoided a £5bn privatisation in an Autumn Statement u-turn by chancellor Philip Hammond. 
The move to keep the register of UK property in Government hands followed wide-spread industry opposition in the run-up to the end of a consultation, with the plans put on hold in September.
From May: Land Registry sell-off ‘could spook investors’
The Treasury said: “Following consultation the government has decided that HM Land Registry should focus on becoming a more digital data-driven registration business, and to do this will remain in the public sector.
“Modernisation will maximise the value of HM Land Registry to the economy, and should be completed without a need for significant Exchequer investment.”
British Property Federation chief executive Melanie Leech had said the proposals were being rushed through without measures to maintain quality.
Richard Close, head of lease advisory at Daniel Watney, said that a sell-off of the Land Registry would create an “immediate market monopoly”.
