Written question asked by Greg Pope (Labour) on Monday, 9 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 11 March 2009. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 March 2009 on behalf of the Treasury.

Revenue and Customs: North West

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the cost of closing (a) Chorley, (b) Burnley and (c) Accrington HM Revenue and Customs office.

Answer: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) office closures are part of a wider programme of departmental restructuring in the interests of greater efficiency.There will be short-term costs, including staff redeployment costs, associated with the closure of offices, but reliable figures will only be established once solutions have been found for all staff and the accommodation has been vacated.Business restructuring will lead to substantial, long-term savings through business efficiencies as well as from a reduction in the size of HMRC’s estate.

Secondary information