Customs office jobs 'to be lost'

Almost 200 jobs are to be lost with the closure of half the tax and customs offices in NI, it has been claimed.

Revenue and Customs has announced that it is to close five of its 10 centres.

However, it has denied that any jobs will go, and has insisted that workers will instead be re-deployed.

But the PCS union says it has a document from Revenue and Customs making clear that the workforce in NI will fall by 190 over the next three years from 640 to 450.

Revenue and Customs said five buildings would be vacated on a phased basis, with staff moves expected to begin from spring 2009.

The buildings being retained are: Fern House in Coleraine, Marlborough House in Craigavon, Abbey House in Enniskillen, Foyle House in Londonderry and Custom House in Newry.

The buildings being vacated are: Kilpatrick House in Ballymena, Bridgewater House in Banbridge, Mill House in Coleraine, Custom House in Enniskillen and Downshire House in Newry.

It is understood enquiry centre services, where customers can get face to face advice, will continue to be provided at or near their current location.