Margaret Ritchie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-09.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what representations he has received on the future of HM Revenue and Customs’ centres in Northern Ireland.

Mr David Gauke

HMRC has recently announced its intention to consult on the proposed closure of 12 of its general offices across the United Kingdom. This process will start in June 2014 and will include one office in Northern Ireland; Custom House, Newry.

HMRC officials and I met with you and three parliamentary colleagues representing Northern Ireland interests on 15 January 2014. At this meeting HMRC officials advised that none of its general offices will close until at least 2015.

As already announced on 12 February, HMRC will be closing its 10 Northern Ireland Enquiry Centres later this year. This is as a result of HMRC introducing a new service, supporting customers who need extra help getting their tax and benefits right. This service will offer customers who need extra help more in-depth support on the phone and a mobile advisory service if they need a face-to-face appointment. HMRC will roll out the new service across the UK from 31 May 2014, followed by the closure of Enquiry Centre network by 30 June 2014.

HMRC has widely consulted with third parties on the Enquiry Centre closures and piloted the new service in the North East of England