SNP CONDEMN HMRC CUTS ANNOUNCEMENT

SNP CONDEMN HMRC CUTS ANNOUNCEMENT

“WRONG DECISION AT THE WRONG TIME”

The SNP has condemned today's announcement by the Treasury confirming plans to close 130 HMRC offices with the loss of up to 1,700 jobs.

SNP Treasury spokesperson Stewart Hosie echoed concerns raised by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCSU) warned that the public and businesses would suffer, with tax advice and support "severely reduced", and tax collection “undermined”. More than 20,000 jobs have been axed since 2006.

Mr Hosie said:

“This is more than just the wrong decision at the wrong time, it is just madness to slash HMRC jobs and services at a time when they are needed most.

“We are in the teeth of recession, and it is no time for the Labour Government to be adding to the dole queue.

“As well as being a bitter blow to the HMRC workforce, these cuts will hit businesses and the public just when they need accessible and well-resourced services most.

“Rural areas are being disproportionately hit, and it is nothing short of an act of vandalism that, with the closure of offices in, for example, Peterhead and Elgin, valuable knowledge and expertise of the operation of the fishing and whisky industry is being thrown away.

“UK Ministers must think again over this outrageous and ill-timed announcement.”