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Written question asked by Martyn Day (Scottish National Party) on Tuesday, 29 October 2019, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 October 2019. It was answered by Jesse Norman (Conservative) on Monday, 4 November 2019 on behalf of the Treasury.

Revenue and Customs: Staff

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what (a) financial and (b) other support the Government plans to provide to staff made redundant by HMRC at Easter Inch Steading, Bathgate, to help them obtain alternative employment.

Answer

HMRC expect the majority of staff in Bathgate (Pyramids Business Centre) to relocate to the Edinburgh Regional Centre when the office closes in September 2020. One-to-one meetings between staff and managers, to discuss personal circumstances and support packages tailored to individual needs, commenced in September 2019 and are still in progress. The precise number of staff who can transfer will be known when the outcomes of these meetings have been collated.

HMRC will support people who are unable to move to work through all possible options, including helping them to find another role and offering advice and training on applying for jobs. HMRC have regular conversations with the Scottish Government and have a close working relationship with the Department for Work and Pensions in the West Lothian area. HMRC will continue to scope redeployment opportunities for their staff, using a simplified application process where possible.

HMRC are committed to supporting their people and in July 2019 HMRC published a People and Equality Impact Assessment: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/817787/People_and_Equality_Impact_Assessment_-_Locations_Programme__2019_.pdf. The document sets out the actions HMRC are taking across the UK to minimise the impacts on their people.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
7188
Session
2019-19
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Employment Staff Redundancy Revenue and Customs Bathgate
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk