Scottish Revenue Office Closures Confirmed

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has confirmed the closure of 20 offices at locations across Scotland following a UK-wide accommodation review. According to the Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union 3,400 jobs could be lost throughout the UK, 400 of which in Scotland.

The following offices are to close:

• Russell House, Ayr
• Moray House, Buckie
• Government Buildings, Dumfries
• Merchiston House, Dunfermline
• Auchencraig, Dunoon
• Phoenix House, Elgin
• Grahame House, Falkirk
• New Reiver House, Galashiels
• Custom House, Grangemouth
• Dalrymple Street, Greenock
• Custom House, Greenock
• Crown Building, Hawick
• Longman House, Inverness
• Mathieson House, Oban
• Water Vennel, Perth
• Keith House, Peterhead
• Liberator House, Prestwick
• King Street, Rothesay
• Spittal Street, Stirling
• Government Buildings, Wick

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: "In these uncertain economic times, these closures and job losses will hit businesses, the public and the communities they serve.

"Rural areas will be disproportionately hit, with face-to-face tax advice reduced to a bare minimum and quality jobs taken out of local economies. As the recession worsens, this will come as a bitter blow to a dedicated workforce and will lead to a loss of valuable knowledge and expertise."

The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms, in a Written Ministerial Statement said: "These have not been easy decisions. However, the overriding consideration has to be the Department's need to address new and challenging customer demands by restructuring its business and estate in the most effective and efficient way possible."

(GK/JM)