Union warning over 500 tax jobs

HMRC plan to close 95 offices throughout the UK

A union has warned that around 500 jobs in tax offices across Wales could be lost under proposals from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to close 10 offices.

Branches in Bangor, Brecon and Bridgend are among those earmarked for closure as part of HMRC's nationwide cuts.

In February, tax officials said five offices would be closing to centralise staff in Cardiff and Swansea.

Union officials said any losses would undermine the ability of remaining workers to do their jobs.

The announcement is part of a plan to close 95 offices across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland affecting up to 12,300 staff.

These plans are now subject to consultation.

Currently there are 1,200 revenue and customs jobs in Wales.

We are potentially giving the green light for tax evasion because there are fewer and fewer checks by inspectors Janet Ryder AM

The offices facing closure are in Bangor, Brecon, Bridgend, Ty Myrddin in Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Merthyr Tydfil, Pembroke Dock, Pontypool, Rhyl and Welshpool.

Those set to be retained are in Aberystwyth, the Picton Terrace office in Carmarthen, Colwyn Bay, Holyhead, Porthmadog and Wrexham.

The proposals have come after HMRC announced earlier this year that it planned to centralise their south Wales operations.

It said it would vacate its buildings in Newport, central Cardiff and Pontypridd in 2009 relocating staff to Llanishen, Cardiff.

Its Llanelli office and the Custom House in Swansea will also be closed, with staff moved to operations at HMRC's Ty Nant building in Swansea.

Plaid Cymru's regional AM for north Wales Janet Ryder said losing the offices in Bangor and Rhyl was "appalling news" for north Wales.

"The picture is equally bleak across the rest of Wales and it's a sign that the government has lost the plot given the amount of income these offices bring in through collecting taxes," she said.

"My concern is that not only are we losing jobs in areas that need those jobs, but we are potentially giving the green light for tax evasion because there are fewer and fewer checks by inspectors."

Campaign

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Union warned that the ability of the department to collect revenues and provide tax advice to the public and local businesses would be further undermined by the closures.

It also said the latest proposals would accelerate the loss of skilled and experienced staff.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said the union would be campaigning to keep as many offices open as possible.

PCS branch officers representing HMRC staff in Wales said they would be meeting next week to put together a considered response to the announcement.