MP wants u-turn on HMRC office closures

AN MP is claiming more than 3,000 jobs are under threat in Bootle, Merseyside because of plans to close tax offices.

The towns MP Peter Dowd says St John’s House, The Triad, Litherland House and Comben House in Netherton are to close in a HM Revenue and Customs restructuring move.

The Liverpool Echo is reporting campaigners are set to protest against the rationalisation on Wednesday, March 16 – the day of the Budget.

Down wants the Government to reverse its decision, saying that 3,000 jobs could be lost otherwise.

“The Tories proposal to move tax office staff out of Bootle is appalling,” he said. “As many as 3,000 jobs could go from Bootle town centre which will devastate it.

“The government needs to do a U-turn pretty sharply. I’m backing the campaign fully.”

It was announced by HMRC in November 2015 that by 2020 all of its 170 offices across the country would close and would be replaced by 13 regional centres.