Almost 200 jobs are at risk in the north of Scotland after it was confirmed that Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are to close scores of offices with the loss of jobs.
Seventeen HMRC centres are to close in Scotland, with the loss of more than 2,000 jobs, after the tax collection agency announced it is to consolidate its UK network of offices.
The Scottish offices to close include Inverness by 2018 and Aberdeen by 2021.
A spokesman confirmed that 120 jobs in Aberdeen are at risk, while more than 50 positions in Inverness could also be axed.
The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union said the cuts would pose a “significant threat” to the operation of HMRC as well as to the working lives of staff.
The union called for full public and parliamentary scrutiny of the decision.
An official announcement is due later today, but there is speculation that all but a handful of 160 regional offices will close, while a number of new regional centres will open.
PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka said: “No one should be in any doubt that, if implemented, these proposals would be absolutely devastating for HMRC and the people who work there.
“Closing this many offices would pose a significant threat to the operation of HMRC, its service to the public and the working lives of staff, and the need for parliamentary scrutiny of the plans is undeniable and urgent.”
Other offices set to close include:
- Bathgate by 2020
- Cumbernauld by 2020
- Dundee (Sidlaw House)
- Dundee (Caledonian House) by 2018
- East Kilbride (Hawbank Stores)
- East Kilbride (Plaza Tower) by 2021
- East Kilbride (Queensway House) by 2026
- Edinburgh (Elgin House) by 2020
- Edinburgh (Grayfield House) by 2020
- Edinburgh (Meldrum House) by 2020
- Glasgow (Cotton House) by 2020
- Glasgow (Portcullis House) by 2020
- Livingston by 2020
- Irvine and Glenrothes are already in the process of closing