HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS CHANGE PROGRAMME AND CUMBRIA

That this House, while recognising the need for savings to be made by HM Revenue and Customs, is deeply concerned with the changes proposed for Cumbria; fears that, alongside changes proposed in other areas such as on post offices and health care provision and possible closures of job centres, there will be a detrimental effect on the ability to attract future economic investment into an area which is the poorest sub-region in Europe; notes that Cumbria cannot afford to lose jobs of this quality in an area where much work is seasonal and less well-paid; further notes that these cuts will not allow staff to provide the quality of service that the public in this and other rural areas with poor transport links need to keep them on a par with their urban neighbours; is disturbed by the trend towards the centralisation and remoteness of service that other businesses are now reversing; points out that this is a public service and that a network of local offices is required which might not be appropriate outside a public service; and wonders whether HM Revenue and Customs will be fit for service in the near future if these proposed cuts are carried out.