Seven jobs go as Plymouth tax office closes
THE TAX MAN is closing its Plymouth Enquiry Centre as part of a nationwide shake up.
It's one of 281 face-to-face assistance hubs facing the axe across the country.
-
HM Revenue and Customs building, The Apex, Brest Road, Derriford
HMRC insists it will do all it can to redeploy the seven staff at The Apex, based in the city's Brest Road.
But MP Oliver Colvile claims the move highlights the city's over reliance on the public sector for jobs.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013
The centre will close in the spring of next year.
It currently opens four days a week to help people with tax queries.
The centre will be replaced by a telephone service and home visits.
It's claimed the move will save HMRC £13 million every year.
Tax bosses say the number of people using the Enquiry Centres across the UK has halved in the last five years.
HMRC chief executive Lin Homer said: "We will give a more specialised phone service for customers whose affairs can be resolved over the telephone, and face-to-face help to those who need it, visiting them at a place convenient to them, saving them both travel and time.
MP Oliver Colvile added: "My key concern is for the people whose jobs are going to be effected.
"Around 38 per cent of people employed in Plymouth work in the public sector. That's pretty huge.
I will do my level best to help any of my constituents whose job may be effected by this."
Sarah Allen-Melvin, the vice chair of Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union blasted the news.
She said: "This has come as a bolt out the blue for the staff. They have been incredibly loyal, determined and committed staff. It's like a kick in the teeth."
A public consultation has been launched and a pilot scheme in the north of England will happen later this year.
10 Comments
by MissAnthrope
Sunday, March 17 2013, 8:13AM
“The Queen has a job for life, asyouwouldbedoneby, so your statement is wrong.”
by jtme1
Saturday, March 16 2013, 1:52PM
“GOOD BYE TAX MAN, job centre is on Exeter st”
by Plymouthking
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:45AM
“no need to pay then?”
by currahee
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:45AM
“"MP Oliver Colvile added: "My key concern is for the people whose jobs are going to be effected.
"Around 38 per cent of people employed in Plymouth work in the public sector. That's pretty huge.
I will do my level best to help any of my constituents whose job may be effected by this."
Oliver, I think the word you were looking for was "affected".
Either one of our local MPs has a very poor grasp of the English language, or this is yet another example of shoddy Herald journalism!”
by Devonportboy
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:33AM
“nicely put Waltersmith and there are an awful lot of efficiency savings that could be made in Colville's part of the public sector. Since the turnout for elections is pretty low and the majority of people express dissatisfaction with politicians' poor performance there's clearly diminishing demand for his services. I think a radical restructure is called for let's bin this expensive, irrelevant ideologically driven party based system and try something like, oh I don't know, democracy,perhaps.”
by Asyouwouldbedoneby
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:31AM
“by timplymouthSaturday, March 16 2013, 9:13AM
"affected, not effected"
Ooh”
by Asyouwouldbedoneby
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:28AM
“Personally I have always received excellent service by ringing the tax enquiry line. If it saves money and in return they plan on reducing the call charges to the enquiry line by the end of the summer then it has to be a good move.
Hopefully those affected will find alternative employment.
No job is for life anymore.”
by Asyouwouldbedoneby
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:27AM
“Personally I have always received excellent service by ringing the tax enquiry line. If it saves money and in return they plan on reducing the call charges to the enquiry line by the end of the summer then it has to be a good move.
Hopefully those affected will find alternative employment.
No job is for life anymore.”
by timplymouth
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:13AM
“affected, not effected”
by Waltersmith
Saturday, March 16 2013, 9:05AM
“Hello Oliver
You also work in the public sector”