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HMRC to reveal tax office closure plan HMRC to reveal tax office closure plan
(about 1 hour later)
Taxpayers and staff at the UK's tax authority are bracing themselves for news of big changes to offices across the UK. Staff at the UK's tax authority are being told of moves to regional centres across the UK, causing concern for unions.
Plans to replace a large number of HM Revenue and Customs' local offices with regional centres will be announced to staff at 11:00 GMT on Thursday. Plans to replace a large number of HM Revenue and Customs' local offices will see staff moving to fewer than 20 new centres.
Staff will be told which cities will host the new centres and the effect on jobs. Staff are being told which cities will host the new offices and the effect on jobs.
The 10-year plan comes as HMRC faces criticism of its call centres.The 10-year plan comes as HMRC faces criticism of its call centres.
Its record of answering calls was accused of being "staggeringly bad" at the Commons Treasury committee earlier in the week. Only half of calls were answered successfully between April and June, although performance has improved since.Its record of answering calls was accused of being "staggeringly bad" at the Commons Treasury committee earlier in the week. Only half of calls were answered successfully between April and June, although performance has improved since.
Regional planRegional plan
Much of the criticism of HMRC's performance has been based on its ability to answer complex tax inquiries.Much of the criticism of HMRC's performance has been based on its ability to answer complex tax inquiries.
The authority is planning to improve the skills of staff while moving them to regional centres. Staff numbers in HMRC's 170 offices range from 6,000 to fewer than 10.The authority is planning to improve the skills of staff while moving them to regional centres. Staff numbers in HMRC's 170 offices range from 6,000 to fewer than 10.
"We will inform our staff about the future direction of our estate. We have been clear for some time that this will mean fewer, but larger and more modern offices that will help us to deliver better services to our customers and bring in more tax revenue for public services," a spokesman for HMRC said."We will inform our staff about the future direction of our estate. We have been clear for some time that this will mean fewer, but larger and more modern offices that will help us to deliver better services to our customers and bring in more tax revenue for public services," a spokesman for HMRC said.
"These changes are part of an ongoing modernisation programme begun several years ago and will take place over the next 10 years.""These changes are part of an ongoing modernisation programme begun several years ago and will take place over the next 10 years."
All 281 drop-in centres for face-to-face advice have already been closed, but staff will be given at least a year's notice of the latest round of office closures.All 281 drop-in centres for face-to-face advice have already been closed, but staff will be given at least a year's notice of the latest round of office closures.
HMRC said the majority of its staff will be working in regional centres in 10 years' time.HMRC said the majority of its staff will be working in regional centres in 10 years' time.
Frank Haskew, of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, said there was likely to be more short-term pain for taxpayers trying to access HMRC services, but the long-term ambition was correct.
Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at the ACCA accountancy body, said he was keen for no reduction in the headcount at HMRC, but any improvement in skills to deal with more complex tax enquiries would be welcome.Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at the ACCA accountancy body, said he was keen for no reduction in the headcount at HMRC, but any improvement in skills to deal with more complex tax enquiries would be welcome.
A recent days, the PCS union said major investment was needed in HMRC.A recent days, the PCS union said major investment was needed in HMRC.
"Since 2010, 11,000 full-time equivalent staff posts have been cut from HMRC and we have consistently said this is leaving HMRC unable to cope," the union said."Since 2010, 11,000 full-time equivalent staff posts have been cut from HMRC and we have consistently said this is leaving HMRC unable to cope," the union said.