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HMRC to announce Scottish closures HMRC confirms Scottish centre closures
(35 minutes later)
The tax collection agency, HMRC, is preparing to announce a major restructuring plan which is likely to see large scale job losses in Scotland over the next ten years. The tax collection agency, HMRC, has announced a major restructuring which is likely to see large-scale job losses in Scotland over the next ten years.
The agency's network of offices includes major centres in Dundee, Cumbernauld and East Kilbride.The agency's network of offices includes major centres in Dundee, Cumbernauld and East Kilbride.
These are expected to close, with future operations in new regional centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh. These are to close, with future operations in new regional centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh.
A smaller unit will be retained at the national crime campus in Gartcosh.A smaller unit will be retained at the national crime campus in Gartcosh.
HMRC currently employs more than 8,000 people in Scotland. Management are briefing staff on their plans this morning and a formal announcement is expected at midday. HMRC currently employs more than 8,000 people in Scotland. Management briefing staff on their plans earlier on Thursday morning.
The plans form proposals which would see staff at a large number of HM Revenue and Customs' local offices move to fewer than 20 new centres across the UK. The plans form proposals which will see staff at a large number of HM Revenue and Customs' local offices move to fewer than 20 new centres across the UK.
'Modernisation programme''Modernisation programme'
A spokesman for HMRC said that a move to fewer, but larger and more modern offices, would help it to deliver better services to its customers and bring in more tax revenue for public services.A spokesman for HMRC said that a move to fewer, but larger and more modern offices, would help it to deliver better services to its customers and bring in more tax revenue for public services.
He added: "These changes are part of an ongoing modernisation programme begun several years ago and will take place over the next 10 years."He added: "These changes are part of an ongoing modernisation programme begun several years ago and will take place over the next 10 years."
Last week, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee said HMRC's customer service was so bad that it could be affecting tax collection.Last week, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee said HMRC's customer service was so bad that it could be affecting tax collection.
HMRC denied that, and said it had now recruited 3,000 more staff to help.HMRC denied that, and said it had now recruited 3,000 more staff to help.
The PCS union said the plans to close "all but a handful of HM Revenue and Customs' 160 remaining UK offices" would be "devastating" and must be reviewed by MPs.The PCS union said the plans to close "all but a handful of HM Revenue and Customs' 160 remaining UK offices" would be "devastating" and must be reviewed by MPs.
The union said the plans, which are being announced while the UK Parliament is in recess, "pose a significant threat to the operation of HMRC, its service to the public and the working lives of staff".The union said the plans, which are being announced while the UK Parliament is in recess, "pose a significant threat to the operation of HMRC, its service to the public and the working lives of staff".