Plaid MPs dismay at HMRC Office Closures

Following the publication today of the HMRC office closure plans, Plaid Cymru MP, Hywel Williams, made the following comments:

 

"The proposal to close HMRC offices across Wales is a further severe blow to the economy in areas such as Bangor, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil - areas in which the Welsh Assembly Government is working hard to try and build up the local economy. This is yet another example of the work being done by Ieuan Wyn Jones as Minister for the Economy and Transport in the Welsh Assembly being undermined by a London government department, which is putting cuts before services to the public and jobs for local people.

 

Valuable local jobs will be lost in Wales in the professional and clerical sectors - sectors where jobs are already scarce enough. Also, many face to face jobs will be lost, resulting in a worse service to the public.

 

On a local level and having campaigned on the issue along with Elfyn Llwyd MP, I am delighted that the Porthmadog office will now be retained, particularly the Welsh language helpline. However, I fear other jobs may well be lost in that office.

 

The HMRC will be consulting again over the summer, and I will be campaigning hard, along with Adam Price and Elfyn Llwyd along with colleagues in the Welsh Assembly, to keep these offices open."