Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.
AIA

HMRC job cuts and office closures on the cards. By Dan Martin

by
16th Nov 2006
Save content
Have you found this content useful? Use the button above to save it to your profile.

Thousands of HMRC staff could lose their jobs as a result of new cost-cutting measures announced by the government department.

As part of plans to drive up efficiency and improve the service offered to businesses and individuals, several offices are also set to be closed as the Revenue attempts to save £30m by April 2008.

In a statement released on Thursday, HMRC said consultations on the "future shape and direction" of the department will begin next month.

"The department now has more buildings than it needs," it added. "Co-locating staff makes good business sense whilst providing the opportunity to streamline processes and eliminate duplication."

HMRC reported that it is on "its way to meet" its target of 12,500 "net staff savings" by April 2008.

Acting chairman Paul Gray said: "The creation of HMRC, where Customs and Excise and the Inland Revenue were integrated, means the new organisation now has more space than it needs.

"We are taking the opportunity to save taxpayers' money by operating with fewer buildings in a more co-ordinated cost efficient way. We are inviting all staff to comment on our proposals and to fully participate in our programme of change."

But trade unions hit out at the announcement saying it means that current inefficiencies in the department will get even worse.

Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said: "It is foolhardy in the extreme to think that cutting more jobs and closing more offices will improve service levels in HMRC.

"With a backlog of 1 million items of post already stacking up as the department slash 12,500 jobs, further cuts will damage service levels and undermine the ability of the exchequer to collect revenue, leaving HMRC unfit for purpose.

"We are growing increasingly fearful that as other departments also seek to cut their budgets by 15% over the same period that more job cuts will follow elsewhere.

"Time is running out for the government, who need to wake up to the fact that cuts mean deteriorating service levels and who need to realise that decent public services need people to deliver them."

Tags:

Replies (0)

Please login or register to join the discussion.

There are currently no replies, be the first to post a reply.