Ceredigion’s Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Mark Williams has expressed his continuing concern at the decision to close Aberystwyth’s HMRC office, after new information from a Parliamentary Question revealed that the closure of the office will only save HMRC £83,000 a year.
The answer, by Financial Secretary Stephen Timms explains that while further savings are expected as a result of general efficiencies, the closure of the Aberystwyth office will contribute just £83,000 of the estimated annual estate savings of £4 million in Wales.
The answer also admits that there will be short-term costs associated with closing the office, but doesn’t give a figure.
Mark Williams said:
“People will be astonished that such an important service is being removed for such a negligible saving.
“I always thought that given that there will now be no HMRC offices in Mid Wales this decision was bizarre, but the fact that so little will be saved makes this all the more so.
“The Minister also admitted that there would be costs to closing the office, and I will be interested to see the final figure when it becomes available.
“These jobs are very important for the local economy, and businesses in Ceredigion may find it harder to access HMRC services, which is the last thing they need.
“The decision to close the office in Aberystwyth flies in the face of reason and these latest figures will add to the sense of anger and frustration felt by staff and local residents.”
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