Margaret Ritchie – 2014 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Margaret Ritchie on 2014-04-03.
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what progress has been made on the voluntary exit scheme for staff at HM Revenue and Customs offices in Northern Ireland.
Mr David Gauke
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) launched two voluntary exit schemes in November 2013 for people in 21 of its offices and for people in its Debt Management and Banking division. Further schemes were opened in February 2014, for eligible staff at Administrative Assistant grade across the country and for people affected by the decision to replace enquiry centres with a new service for customers who need extra help.
There are nine offices or enquiry centres across Northern Ireland where eligible people have been invited to apply for one of the schemes. A summary of the progress at 4 April 2014 can be found in the table below.
|
Location |
Invited to apply |
Applied for VE |
Offered VE* |
Accepted VE |
Declined VE |
Pending Decision** |
|
Antrim |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
||
|
Ballymena |
4 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Belfast |
17 |
14 |
11 |
5 |
3 |
3 |
|
Coleraine |
10 |
9 |
9 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Craigavon |
11 |
7 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
|
Enniskillen |
30 |
24 |
23 |
5 |
17 |
1 |
|
Lisburn |
8 |
7 |
7 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
|
Londonderry |
79 |
66 |
66 |
32 |
34 |
0 |
|
Newry |
137 |
45 |
45 |
30 |
15 |
0 |
|
Total |
297 |
176 |
172 |
83 |
74 |
15 |
|
* 4 of those that applied withdrew their applications after being successful in obtaining a post in the new service for customers who need extra help |
|
** A decision is pending for 15 people as they have until 28 April to decide whether or not to accept a formal offer of voluntary exit. |
