More tax staff could lose jobs

9:10am Thursday 10th July 2008

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NEARLY 200 tax workers in York are facing an anxious wait to hear whether their jobs are safe, as a consultation with trade unions continues.

The city’s MP, Hugh Bayley, today vowed to fight to keep jobs in York, as the economic downturn continued to bite.

As previously reported in The Press, there are plans to close 95 HMRC offices across the UK, including Swinson House in Piccadilly, York, which employs 83 staff.

It has now emerged that staff levels at Hilary House, in St Saviour’s Place, could also be slashed, from 83 to 50 At the latest count, in April, there were 189 people working in the two York offices, but the HMRC says that by 2011 it will need just 50 staff.

Mr Bayley today said any closure would not only affect staff, but thousands of customers. He has tabled a series of questions in Parliament, demanding answers from the Chancellor, Alistair Darling.

The Labour MP said: “Every year 14,000 members of the public call at the enquiry centre at the tax office in Piccadilly, York. They would be seriously inconvenienced if the inquiry centre was closed, or if its opening hours were cut. The tax system is complicated and the public needs to be able to meet tax officers face to face to discuss their affairs.

“Revenue and Customs need to operate efficiently, but I am not convinced that they will save money by transferring staff from York to other towns. I have asked the questions to get the facts and I will be responding to the Government’s consultation document later this month.”

“I have already met some of the staff. “They do not support the changes, and I shall be working with them to try to keep jobs in York.”

City of York Council leader Andrew Waller has also written to Jane Kennedy, financial secretary to the treasury, voicing concern over the possible job losses and asking for more information.

The proposed shake-up would lead to “the loss of a considerable number of good quality managerial and administrative positions,” said Coun Waller.

He said: “Unsurprisingly, this prospect is causing a great deal of concern among local staff who are now writing to their local councillors for support.”

HMRC today refused to comment. In a statement issued last month, director Mary Hay said: “By consolidating work in fewer locations HMRC will be able to work more efficiently and so improve customer service as well as providing better value for money.”