MPs Join Forces Over Tax Office Closure

10.31.31am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 11th Jun 2008

Following meetings with Herefordshire Council Leader, PCS Union Representatives and staff at Hereford's Broadway House Tax Office, Paul Keetch MP met yesterday with HMRC officials responsible for running the review of HMRC services and premises. Also present was Leominster MP, Bill Wiggin who attended at the Hereford MP's invitation.

At the meeting Paul presented the officials with a 4,000 signature strong petition supporting the move for the retention of staff and services at the Hereford location. The petition will be handed to the Financial Secretary Jane Kennedy MP and the views of the Herefordshire MPs will be passed on to her also.

Commenting Paul Keetch said, "It is quite clear that there is a national restructuring of HMRC offices and changes at the Hereford location are bound to be made, Hereford is not immune. It is also clear that the Revenue will retain a presence of some kind in the city and we need to maximise what this will be. There will be no involuntary redundancies and the process is likely to take several years - there will be no immediate change for Broadway House employees. Bill Wiggin and I raised the fact that Broadway House is an asset for wider government and could be better utilised, a point that was taken on board at our meeting.

I am pleased that Bill Wiggin and I had the opportunity to meet with HMRC officials to put forward the case for Herefordshire at this time. It is imperative that careful and full consideration is given to the case for keeping the Tax Office running and I expect to hear the definitive decision by 16 July."

Ends