Published: Wednesday, 13th January, 2010 1:59pm

Closing date announced for tax offices

TAX offices in the Borders will close by March 2011, it has been announced.

HM Revenue and Customs have confirmed that it intends to shut 130 offices across the country - including those in Galashiels and Hawick.

But, with more than 3000 workers set to lose their jobs, union leaders have vowed to continue to campaign against the closures.

They are calling on HMRC to suspend the process and seek to demonstrate their efficiency savings against the collection of outstanding taxes into the Treasury.

Commenting on the announcement, local MSP John Lamont said: "There are clearly difficult spending choices to be made in the current economic climate but this announcement is extremely bad news for the Borders.

"Rural communities cannot be put at a disadvantage when it comes to important public services such as this. When making these decisions, the Government should acknowledge the practical realities which we face, such as the transport difficulties that exist in rural areas like the Borders.

"I know that the staff at the tax offices work extremely hard and are very well regarded in the community. The loss of these skilled jobs is a real blow to Hawick, Galashiels and also the wider Borders economy."