Local MP Brian Donohoe has been informed by Financial Secretary to the Treasury Stephen Timms that the Marress House tax office in Irvine has been saved from closure by HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs).
The Central Ayrshire MP has been making strong and repeated appeals to Mr Timms and his predecessor Jane Kennedy to save the office, which had been threatened with closure and the loss of 33 jobs.In the light of his vigorous representations, Mr Donohoe was told immediately of the decision by Mr Timms. "I am absolutely ecstatic about the news", said Mr Donohoe, "I have made my feelings quite clear to the Treasury over and over again. This is extremely good news for the town at a time when we certainly don’t want to see any more jobs disappear."
However, as part of its reorganisation following the merger of the Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise, HMRC will instead close the tax offices at Russell House in Ayr and Liberator House in Prestwick. O Over the course of the next few years, the workload from both offices will transfer to Irvine, and it is understood that staff will be re-located to Irvine. O In a letter to Mr Donohoe, the HMRC has said: "We will now draw up plans for withdrawal from Russell House in Ayr and Liberator House in Prestwick. The vacation of these offices will contribute to estimated estate savings of £24m in Scotland between 2007 and 2012. These moves will take place over time beginning in early 2009. Enquiry Centre services will be retained either at their current location or nearby. Implementation of these decisions will proceed at a pace that ensures minimum disruption to our employees and customers. Some staff moves could take place in advance of offices being vacated."