Wrexham MP “dismayed by Government’s complete disregard for towns” over plans to close town’s tax office

Wrexham’s MP has spoken of his dismay over the UK Government’s “complete disregard for towns like ours” over plans to close the town’s tax office next year.

Ian Lucas is opposing a move by HM Revenue & Customs to shut their premises on Wrexham Technology Park, forcing hundreds of workers to either take redundancy or relocate to similar roles in Liverpool or Telford.

Mr Lucas has raised the matter on several occasions in Parliament, addressing Theresa May directly at PMQs in February when he asked: “What does the Prime Minister have against towns in North Wales?”

Mr Lucas has also written to Mrs May and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond, to urge them to reconsider. Jim Harra, second permanent secretary at HMRC, has now replied on their behalf to state the plans to close the Wrexham office by September 2020 had not changed.

A call by Mr Lucas to consider using Wrexham for additional office space, rather than Liverpool, was rejected as the staff members required to work there are already based in Liverpool.

“I was dismayed by the reply and continue to be dismayed by the UK Government’s complete disregard for towns like ours,” said Mr Lucas.

“Once again, we see investment being shifted into cities and it is people in places like Wrexham who suffer.

“It appears that HMRC are refusing to budge so I am exploring other avenues and liaising with union officials over what steps to take next. I will continue to do absolutely everything in my power to get this terrible decision reversed.”

In his letter to Mr Lucas, Mr Harra writes: “The confirmation of the closure date of our office in Wrexham will be disappointing.

“We are committed to maximising tax revenue, increasing compliance and reducing the tax gap while delivering best value to the tax payer, and we have to prioritise these aims.”

The Wrexham has been threatened with closure since 2015, when HMRC announced plans to centralise operations into 13 ‘hubs’ in the UK’s biggest cities.

At the time, about 400 skilled workers were employed there – but that number has since been whittled down to about 270. Many employees there have more than 25 years’ experience.

It was confirmed in February of this year that September 2020 would be the closing date for the Wrexham office.