Published: Wednesday, 12th November, 2008 06:30
Tax offices don't need to be taxing
By Alexa Brown
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TAX offices in Galashiels and Hawick are expected to be spared from the axe following a huge local campaign.
But the Border Telegraph understands that jobs will still go within the branches.
Earlier this year HM Revenue and Customs announced plans to close the offices in Galashiels and Hawick with the loss of 31 jobs, but Scottish Borders Council contacted MP Jane Kennedy, Financial Secretary to the Treasure, to demand that they be kept open.
And now an inside source has revealed that it is back office staff, not those who deal directly with the public, that are under threat.
The source, who didn’t want to be named, said: “HMRC is split into various business teams, such as processing, compliance, back office staff and face-to-face (staff dealing with customers).
“The jobs that are under threat in both Galashiels and Hawick are back office staff – the ones that don’t deal directly with the public.
“The enquiry centers, run by face-to-face staff, will remain open to the public in Gala and Hawick no matter what happens to the back office staff.”
The move will be welcome news to customers worried that they will lose direct contact with tax office staff in the towns, but means that jobs in the offices could still face threat.
abrown@bordertelegraph.com
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