Tax offices to shut to cut costs

Unions say hundreds of jobs could be lost

Seven tax offices are to shut across Hampshire and Oxfordshire as part of a major shake-up of the department.

Staff at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) buildings have been that offices will close in the winter.

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.

The Andover office in Hampshire, along with one in Cowes and two in Newport on the Isle of Wight will close.

Slash jobs

While one office in Banbury and two in Oxford will also shut under the plans.

Treasury Minister Jane Kennedy said the move, which followed a 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.

Mark Serwotka, the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "This announcement is part of a crude drive to slash jobs and cut costs which will leave HMRC unable to deliver quality public services.

"We will be campaigning to keep as many offices open as possible, as job cuts are already damaging the ability of HMRC to function and undermining public confidence."