Thirteen tax offices will close

Thirteen tax offices are to shut across the West Midlands as part of a major shake-up to streamline the department. Staff at HM Revenue & Customs buildings have been told in a series of meetings that offices will close by Spring 2010. A total of 50 offices across England will shut in a bid to slash billions of pounds from the department's budget. Unions have warned hundreds of jobs could be lost, but the HMRC said it planned to make the changes without making any compulsory redundancies. HMRC said it will retain five offices in the region for its future operations, and that its inquiry centres would also remain open. Some closures were expected after the merger three years ago of the Inland Revenue and Customs and Excise. Treasury Minister Jane Kennedy said the move, which followed an eight-week consultation, aimed to improve... [read full story]