Revenue and Customs job losses - Michael German comment

12.00.00am GMT Fri 17th Nov 2006

Commenting on the news that jobs are likely to go at the HM Revenue and Customs office in Newport, local Welsh Liberal Democrat AM Michael German said:

"PCS Union leaders have warned me that jobs will be lost from the Newport office in the next three or four months.

"My thoughts are with the workers who will be affected - the staff facing redundancy and those who will be forced to relocate to Cardiff. I am also concerned that the important work done there, including people claiming tax credits, will be carried out by a reduced number of staff.

Jobs may be lost at the HM Revenue and Customs

"It seems that Labour are giving with one hand and taking away with the other. First of all, the Government in Westminster brings jobs to Newport in the Office of National Statistics, then jobs are cut in the Newport Revenue and Customs Office.

"For all Gordon Brown's talk of moving civil service jobs to the regions, many of these jobs will be transferred to Cardiff.

"I believe the Revenue and Customs jobs are better located in Newport, where they can provide a local centre where people can go for tax advice.

"I am not convinced this will mean a better service for the people of Newport and I will be raising the matter with the Enterprise Minister at the earliest opportunity."