Mass gatherings to save tax office

Feb 10 2009 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Tuesday

LOCAL politicians have thrown their weight behind the campaign to save the HM Revenue and Customs office in Perth from closure.

Pete Wishart, SNP MP for Perth and North Perthshire, and Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham have added their voice to the SHOUT (Scottish HMRC Offices Under Threat) campaign being run by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

Roseanna met with HMRC staff last week in the Scottish Parliament, along with union representatives from the Perth HMRC office.

Speaking after the meeting, Roseanna said: “There is anger about HMRC's plans from staff and their representatives, as well as from the individuals and businesses served by local offices.

“These closures will cause problems for staff, reduced service to the public and impair the delivery of a fair and effective tax system.

“From basic housekeeping issues like where in the Dundee office they might be intending to accommodate the Perth staff, to major future developments such as the impact of the introduction of a Local Income Tax, this whole process has been flawed from start to finish and should be abandoned.”

Pete Wishart, who has been active in the campaign against this decision of the Westminster Government, added: “There are serious concerns about this so-called efficiency drive.

“Fundamentally, efficiency means delivering the same level of service for less cost and it is abundantly clear that the closure of the Perth HMRC office will be a reduction in service and can in no way be called an efficiency saving.

“The hard-working staff in Perth have had the rug pulled from under them and, while they may be offered relocation, that will simply not be feasible for many who will have partners and spouses working in Perth, children at school and other concerns such as caring commitments.

“The centralisation of public services seems to be an insidious and relentless aim of the Westminster Labour Government.

“There must a radical change of direction to protect the employment opportunities and the services that can be accessed locally in areas like Perth.”

Elizabeth Smith, Conservative MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, also met with union officials to discuss the proposed closure of the Perth Tax Office.

Across the UK, 93 HMRC offices are threatened with closure with the loss of 3400 jobs by 2011.

Elizabeth said: “The proposed closure of the Perth office will directly impact on 20 jobs in the area.

“During these difficult economic times, such job losses are the last thing Perth and Scotland needs.

“There is also now growing concern that the closure of local tax offices will lead directly to an increase in black market operations.”