Jobs fear over tax office plans

It is feared that about 200 people could lose their jobs in Devon and Cornwall

Hundreds of people are expected to lose their jobs in the south west of England following revelations that HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is to shut some offices.

More than 90 HMRC offices around the UK are set to close, with eight earmarked in Devon and Cornwall.

According to the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), about 200 HMRC staff who work in the two counties could see their jobs disappear.

HMRC says the closures are part of a scheme to improve efficiency.

Spring start

Under the proposals, the union says the Penzance and Launceston offices will close and 120 staff will be moved from the offices in Newton Abbot and Torquay, most of whom will be transferred to offices in Plymouth and Exeter.

A further 25 staff will be transferred from Bideford to Barnstaple.

Revenue and customs staff are also leaving Custom House in Plymouth, although UK border agency staff are staying there.

These are pretty much quality jobs in an area where tourism is a main industry and isn't highly paid

Ashley Breare, PCS Union

The offices will close in phases beginning in the spring but an HMRC spokeswoman said compulsory redundancies would be avoided wherever possible.

However, Plymouth-based PCS spokesman Ashley Breare claims the announcement is a "blow" to the local economy.

"These are pretty much quality jobs in an area where tourism is a main industry and isn't highly paid," he said.

"As such the news of these closures is a further blow to the local economy of Devon and Cornwall.

"Our view is that it doesn't make sense for the government to take quality jobs out of Devon and Cornwall when the EU recognises that this is a low wage economy area which needs job creation and has set aside funds for this purpose.

"This government policy is going against EU policy of providing financial support for the region."