Valuation Office Newport | Labour to Centralise Public Services in Cardiff

12.00.00am GMT Fri 14th Mar 2008

After the announcement that the tax office in Newport is to be relocated to Cardiff, another key government service in the shape of the Valuation Office is to shut up shop in Newport and move to the Welsh capital.

Michael German AM, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Wales, is 'dismayed' by the "UK Labour Government's enthusiasm to axe government jobs and offices in Newport and transfer key government services lock, stock and barrel to the capital."

Describing this further announcement as a blow for Wales' third city, Mr. German said the news that more key government jobs in the Valuation Office would be lost.

"This dents all the good work this being done to turn around the city's fortunes", Mr. German said.

"The Valuation Office is a major government service and has a key local role in dealing with Council Tax banding appeals. There have been a great many of these in the Gwent area, particularly pensioners."

Mr. German said that the Valuation Office was 'very busy' in Newport. The Labour Assembly Government's rebanding of council tax has led to many appeals and now people will be left with no local service and served by a very remote call-centre in Cardiff."

Speaking on the effects in the area, Mr. German added, "This will further increase the need to ravel to work, more cars on the congested road network and more carbon emission, just when we are fighting to reduce our carbon footprint.

"When will Labour lose this habit of wanting to centralise public services and turn them into remote 'call centres'.