Williams slams Brecon Tax Office Closure (Kirsty Williams AM )

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Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Williams slams Brecon Tax Office Closure

December 4, 2008 2:30 PM

Kirsty Williams, AM for Brecon & Radnorshire, has attacked the decision by HM Revenue and Customs to close the Brecon Tax office, which will lead to a loss of around 24 jobs.

Kirsty Williams said:"It is a terrible decision to close such an important employer in the Brecon area. Even more so at a time when people are facing recession and we have seen job losses across Wales. To add further to this difficulty and anxiety beggars belief.

"Mid Wales will be left with offices in the far spread Carmarthen and Porthmadog and the nearest offices for Brecon residents will be Merthyr Tydfil. This is Government centralisation at its worst; showing a clear lack of understanding for the employment and transport issues that face rural areas.

"I am pleased that the enquiry services will be retained in Brecon but this is no compensation for the over-all job losses. These are relatively well paid jobs, with good terms and conditions, in an area that has few similar employment opportunities.

"We have still not been fully informed of the exact closure dates with proposal suggesting anything from next year through to 2012. It is unacceptable to treat employees and customers in this way - they must be given more details as to what is to happen and exactly when.

"As the recession deepens and people become more reliant on public services, the government should not be adding to the growing numbers of unemployed in Wales."

Notes:

In Wales only 6 offices will remain in this round of proposals: Plas Gororau, Wrexham; Government Buildings, Colwyn Bay; Crown Buildings, Carmarthen; Platform One Office, Holyhead; Ty Moelwyn, Porthmadog; Government Buildings, Merthyr Tydfil;

11 office buildings have been listed for vacation. We will now draw up plans for withdrawal from Ty'r Felin, Pontypool; Norroy House, Chester; Eden House, Chester; Tremains House, Bridgend; Ty Glyn, Bangor; Llys Anwyl, Rhyl; Government Buildings, Haverfordwest; Custom House, Pembroke Dock; Government Buildings, Brecon; Ty Myrddin, Carmarthen; Crown Buildings, Aberystwyth.