Hyslop Condemns Closure of HMRC in Bathgate
Condemning the announcement to relocate HMRC services from Bathgate to Edinburgh, resulting in the closure of the Bathgate site, local MSP Fiona Hyslop commented;
“I am deeply concerned by the UK Government’s decision to relocate HMRC services from the current Bathgate and Livingston sites to a regional centre in Edinburgh affecting up to 1,200 jobs. This decision has been made without proper parliamentary scrutiny, and despite concerns over the financial integrity of such a move being raised by the National Audit Office (NAO).
“I have worked with representatives of PCS, representatives of other parties and SNP colleagues locally to work towards a resolution and to support the skilled workforce in aiming to retain their jobs, and keep them local.
“Despite the unfounded claims that this move will save money, the cost of relocating services to Edinburgh is in the region of £70m and could well be of greater cost to the taxpayer in the long term. It is disgraceful that the UK Government have pushed ahead with this decision with no regard for the local economy, job security and value for money for taxpayers.”
ENDS
Link to announcement –
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/civil-service-hub-to-bring-growth-to-edinburgh