Sunday, December 31, 2006

Murphy urges rethink on tax office reorganisation

Torfaen MP Paul Murphy has today called for a rethink on plans to centralise HM Revenue and Customs jobs in Cardiff.

The plans would mean staff in tax offices in Pontypool, Merthyr Tydfil, Pontypridd and Newport having their jobs moved.

Speaking in the Welsh Grand Committee, Paul Murphy said: “I recognise the need to make savings in order to give us more money to spend on schools and hospitals. However, I am concerned about the principle of moving these jobs from the Valleys to Cardiff. The Valleys are an Objective 1 area – recognition of the area’s special economic needs. Although we have made great progress in cutting unemployment across the Valleys, I feel that extra care should be taken when dealing with issues like this in our communities.”

“I have met with constituents concerned about the impact of these proposals. Many of them are parents with young families who would find it difficult to commute to Cardiff. Others pointed out the environmental impact of staff travelling further to work. I would therefore urge the Secretary of State to raise this issue with the Paymaster General and put the points to her that I have raised today.”

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