Tax offices to be closed

Tax offices across Shropshire and Mid Wales are to close by the end of next year with more than 80 people losing their jobs or having to relocate.

Offices in Shrewsbury, Ludlow, Oswestry and Welshpool will shut in 2010 or 2011. Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs said today that an inquiry desk will remain open for the public in or near the current premises.

But North Shropshire MP, Owen Paterson, said he feared local knowledge would be lost as most people would have to go to larger, regional offices.

"I am very concerned that the problems of farmers and those in rural businesses will be less well understood," he said.

The closures will affect 20 staff in Shrewsbury, 20 in Ludlow, 23 in Oswestry and 26 in Welshpool.

Staff have just three weeks to apply for voluntary redundancy. They will then leave by March. Across Britain 1,700 are losing their jobs after being declared "surplus" and will also leave by the end of March.

Union representatives say the closures will decimate public services and many of its members will find it difficult to relocate or to find new jobs. The Public and Commercial Services says it will take national strike action if compulsory redundancies are announced.

PCS regional secretary, Andrew Lloyd said: "These closures are not just bad because of the jobs that are being lost, but once these offices are closed they will be lost. In small and rural communities there is a significant impact on the town.

"These closures make no sense, the country stands to lose even more by more tax avoidance, and the staff that will be made redundant will potentially add to the increasing number unemployed, particularly awful in our regions.

"PCS will campaign ag-ainst these office closures and has a policy of not accepting one single compulsory redundancy. If that happens then the union will respond with national strike action."

News of the possible closures was announced three years ago but the final decision was given to staff yesterday. Some have already taken early retirement or voluntary redundancy.

HMRC said surplus staff would be given every help in finding work in other government departments.

By Sue Austin