Jamie Hepburn, SNP MSP for Central Scotland, has condemned the decision by Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to close 16 regional offices across Scotland, with the loss of nearly 200 jobs, while expressing his relief that the UK Government organisation’s offices in Cumbernauld will not be affected [1].

Across the UK as a whole, 130 HMRC offices will close, with the loss of 1,700 jobs.  The closures come as new figures reveal HM Revenue and Customs failed to answer as many as 44 million phone calls last year – 43% of the 103 million calls received [2].  There is also increasing concern among representatives of the HMRC workforce that massive job cuts are affecting the organisation’s ability to uncover tax avoidance, thereby denying the Treasury revenue at a time of budget pressure [3].

Commenting, Jamie Hepburn MSP said:

“I received assurances from the head of the UK Civil Service some weeks ago that HMRC remained committed to its presence in Cumbernauld, and so I am relieved that this seems to be borne out in this latest announcement.

“However, the announcement as a whole is extremely disappointing, with 188 jobs going across Scotland including 6 in the Hamilton office which falls within the Central Scotland region.  This will be very disappointing news for the individuals concerned and their families.

“The HMRC workers’ union estimates that there is over £130 billion in tax which has been uncollected, evaded and avoided.  This is money which could go towards closing the public deficit and reducing the need for massive cuts in public spending.  Laying-off staff in the tax offices will do nothing to help find these missing billions, and it also reduces the level of advice and support available to individuals and businesses just when they need it most.”