Question
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has for the future of HM Revenue and Customs' offices at Swansea; and if he will make a statement.
Answered on
25 March 2015
HMRC has been discussing a vision of its future to 2020 and beyond with its workforce, through a national conversation called Building our Future. Through this, HMRC has outlined how it proposes to transform services to its customers and set out what this means for the future size, shape and location of the Department.
HMRC has set out its early thinking about the principles that will determine its future location strategy, which involves bringing teams closer together in a smaller number of large, modern, adaptable Regional Centres. These centres will be supported by a UK-wide network of smaller specialist and touchdown sites.
HMRC has told staff that, it believes that Cardiff is the most suitable location for a future Regional Centre in Wales, since it is already the biggest HMRC location in the country. However, no firm decisions have yet been made on the precise location or timing of a new HMRC Regional Centre in Cardiff or the nature and timing of impacts on other HMRC locations in Wales including Swansea.
HMRC will be developing its plans over coming months and will share details of them as they emerge. HMRC will naturally undertake all necessary consultations and impact assessments.
HMRC shared the main elements of this vision with MPs and Assembly Members in October 14 and will continue to keep MPs and Assembly Members informed of the outcomes of these conversations.