Cornwall's MP's put Minister on spot over tax cuts

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Jun 2007

Tax Office Cuts in Cornwall are challenged by Cornwall's Lib Dem MP's

Cornwall's five Liberal Democrat MPs today (Wednesday) welcomed reassurances from the Paymaster General, Dawn Primarolo, that frontline services will remain in Cornwall's HMRC tax offices.

The commitment came in a special Commons debate led by North Cornwall's MP, Dan Rogerson, who said that cuts to HMRC offices - clearly mooted by the Treasury - would lose revenue for the Exchequer and threaten Cornwall's local economy.

The Launceston HMRC office, he said, was one of the most efficient in the country, and offered an exemplary service in detecting fraud and processing tax returns from all over the UK. It was also vital for local businesses.

The Minister told MPs that no cuts to the offices were presently planned, but that they would be consulting on changes in the coming months.

Commenting after the debate, Mr Rogerson said:

"The Paymaster General was indignant that we should even raise this issue at this time. However this current uncertainty is all of her own making.

"The government doesn't consult on cuts it has no intention of carrying out.

"Of course we welcome the Minister's commitment to maintain frontline services - but she must understand that their sustainability is underpinned by the Cornwall offices' high performance in back room work - and our local economy is supported by the jobs that work provides.

"The government must not slash our local HMRC services - and despite the Minister's protestations, we will continue to press her to rethink these nonsensical plans."

Julia Goldsworthy, MP for Falmouth and Camborne added:

"For towns like Redruth, HMRC jobs not only provide an important service but also play a vital role in sustaining the town centre. It's good news to have on record the Minister's commitment that these issues will be taken into account as part of the decision making process."