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HMRC confirms Scottish centre closures Major job losses with HMRC Scottish office closures
(36 minutes later)
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 tax collection agency, HMRC, is to consolidate its UK network of offices in a move which could see more than 2,000 jobs lost in Scotland.
The agency's network of offices includes major centres in Dundee, Cumbernauld and East Kilbride. More than 8,000 people are currently employed at the agency's 18 Scottish offices, including major centres in Dundee, Cumbernauld and East Kilbride.
These are to close, with future operations in new regional centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh. HMRC said by 2021, a maximum of 6,300 staff would be based at 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 briefing staff on their plans earlier on Thursday morning. HMRC's chief executive Lin Homer said: "HMRC has too many expensive, isolated and outdated offices.
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. "This makes it difficult for us to collaborate, modernise our ways of working, and make the changes we need to transform our service to customers and clamp down further on the minority who try to cheat the system."
'Modernisation programme' 'Cost-effective'
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. She added: "The new regional centres in Glasgow and Edinburgh will bring our staff together in more modern and cost-effective buildings in areas with lower rents.
He added: "These changes are part of an ongoing modernisation programme begun several years ago and will take place over the next 10 years." "They will also make a big contribution to the Scottish economy, providing high-quality, skilled jobs and supporting the government's commitment to a national recovery that benefits all parts of the UK."
Last week, MPs on the Public Accounts Committee said HMRC's customer service was so bad that it could be affecting tax collection. SCOTTISH OFFICES TO CLOSE
HMRC said its 18 Scottish offices ranged in size from about 1,800 people to fewer than five.
The agency said it expected between 2,300 and 2,600 full-time equivalent employees to work in the Edinburgh regional centre and between 3,400 and 3,700 full-time equivalent employees to work in the Glasgow centre.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the announcement on office closures "appeared to put significant numbers of jobs in Scotland at risk".
Speaking at Holyrood, she told MSPs she would be seeking urgent talks with the UK government to discuss the matter.
The PCS union said the closure plan was a danger to HMRC fulfilling its duties.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "No one should be in any doubt that, if implemented, these proposals would be absolutely devastating for HMRC and the people who work there.
"Closing this many offices would pose a significant threat to the operation of HMRC, its service to the public and the working lives of staff, and the need for parliamentary scrutiny of the plans is undeniable and urgent."
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 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".