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Government should follow jobcentre closures moratorium with HMRC office reprieve
November 26, 2008 3:00 PM
Following yesterday's announcement that the UK Government are halting their planned closure programme of Jobcentre offices, Dunfermline and West Fife MP Willie Rennie has called for a suspension of the HMRC office closure programme.
The Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell announced in the Commons yesterday that the Government would be suspending future Jobcentre office closures, and that the number of frontline staff working in the offices would increase by 6,000. The Minister said that rising levels of unemployment had led to more investment being needed in Jobcentre services.
Mr Rennie believes that the worsening economic situation will also lead to a rise in the number of complex tax issues, and is calling on the Government to apply the same rationale to halting the HMRC office closure programme. He said:
"I welcome yesterday's announcement of a halt to further Jobcentre closures, but this will offer little comfort to communities living under the constant threat of HMRC office closures.
"The Government's own thinking should lead them to a position where they recognise the folly of closing the tax office in Merchiston House. The announcement is now overdue, and I hope that the delay is because Ministers are re-thinking their plans.
"Not only would the closure of these offices lead to a reduction in the service offered - coming at the very time that these services are in greater need - but the loss of these highly-skilled jobs would be a bitter blow for the towns.
"Britain is facing an economic emergency, and the Government should be doing all it can to help - and that includes stopping the planned closure of this office."
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