HM Revenue & Customs to close 130 regional offices putting 1,700 jobs at risk

Up to 1,700 jobs could be at risk as HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) announced 130 regional tax offices are to close, a union has warned.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union, said the move would take quality jobs out of local communities during a recession.

HMRC said that the closures were part of an ongoing review following the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise, and denied that the plans would put tax collection at risk, the Times reported.

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A spokesman said: “By bringing staff together in larger teams and closing smaller offices, HMRC will be able to deliver a better service to customers while delivering taxpayers better value for money.”

“HMRC is committed to doing everything we can to avoid compulsory redundancies wherever possible, and for those who wish to continue their civil service careers, we will work hard to redeploy people both within HMRC as well as to other government departments and agencies.”