HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS OFFICES IN THE SOUTH WEST

That this House notes with serious concern the continuing threat to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) offices and jobs in the South West region; believes that closure of HMRC offices will have an adverse impact on local communities and vulnerable individuals; further notes the efforts of HMRC staff to reduce fraud in the tax system, and appreciates the high level of service by staff in these offices; further believes that reducing staff numbers will cause more fraud to go undetected, proving the reduction to be a false economy; recognises the difficulties of staff in finding another place of work within reasonable travelling distance; and calls on the Government to suspend the closure plans and conduct a full review of the impact on the geographical area and HMRC business streams affected by these proposals.