Thirteen tax offices will close

Unions say hundreds of jobs could be lost

Thirteen tax offices are to shut across the West Midlands as part of a major shake-up to streamline the department.

Staff at HM Revenue & Customs buildings have been told in a series of meetings that offices will close by Spring 2010.

A total of 50 offices across England will shut in a bid to slash billions of pounds from the department's budget.

Unions have warned hundreds of jobs could be lost, but the HMRC said it planned to make the changes without making any compulsory redundancies.

HMRC said it will retain five offices in the region for its future operations, and that its inquiry centres would also remain open.

Some closures were expected after the merger three years ago of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise.

Treasury Minister Jane Kennedy said the move, which followed an eight-week consultation, aimed to improve value for money.

"There will be big changes but they are necessary for HMRC to improve the service it's delivering to the public," she said.

She said staff would be discussing their options with managers.

The Public and Commercial Services Union warned in April that the closure of tax offices in Hereford, Redditch and Evesham threatened more than 200 civil service jobs alone.

The offices that will close are:

• Capstan House, Waterfront East, Brierley Hill

• Rogers House, Beecroft Road, Cannock

• Lower Leys, Burford Road, Bengeworth, Evesham

• Broadway House, 32-35 Broad Street, Hereford

• Britannia Chambers, West Street, Leek

• Old MEB Buildings, Riddings Road, Ludlow

• Powell House, Church Street, Nuneaton

• Plas Ffynnon, 12/14 Middleton Road, Oswestry

• Threadneedle House, Alcester Street, Redditch

• Bennfield House, 12 Corporation Street, Rugby

• New Mayfield House, Lakeside Business Park, Shrewsbury

• Greyfriars House, Greyfriars, Stafford

• Crown Building, Alcester Road, Stratford-upon-Avon