HMRC ANNOUNCE OFFICE CHANGES FOR HAYMARKET HOUSE, EDINBURGH

30 Nov 2005 05:45 PM

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced today that in its drive to deliver a more effective service to local businesses and individuals, eliminate duplication and improve efficiency, it is closing its office at Haymarket House, Edinburgh.

HMRC was created in April 2005 following the merger of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise, providing the opportunity to create a modern, effective revenue collection and enforcement department.

The new department is committed to delivering better value for money to customers and today's announcement forms part of an ongoing programme to fully integrate the two departments.

The key points surrounding these office changes are:
- The office will close by 31 March 2006.
- Staff will relocate to Clarendon House, George Street, Edinburgh. - No jobs are being lost as a result of this move.
- There are no face to face public enquiry services provided from Haymarket House so this change will have no impact on HMRC customers.

Mike Hanson, Director General Corporate Services and Frontiers at HMRC said:

"This move will provide HMRC with the opportunity for a more joined up and improved service to local people and business, and better value for money for the taxpayer.

"HMRC is committed to improving customer experience, supporting business and improving compliance, and today's announcement forms part of a change programme that will see HMRC consolidating our estates and co-locating our staff nationwide."

Notes for Editors
1. Haymarket House currently houses 45 staff who will all move to Clarendon House, George Street, Edinburgh.

2. The work currently carried out at Haymarket House is Compliance work, which deals with direct taxation.

3. Telephone queries are dealt with by staff in contact centres and this service remains unaffected by any of the changes.

4. HMRC was created on 18 April 2005.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Media Relations Team
Website: www.hmrc.gov.uk