| TAX OFFICE TO STAY |
| Wednesday, 09 May 2007 | |
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John Pugh has welcomed the news that Southport Tax Office is to remain though with some uncertainities as to the nature of its workload. The news comes as something of a relief to the 40 staff (approx) working there. It was feared that the whole unit would go under a nationwide scheme to make savings and cut civil servants jobs. The MP has been working in co-operation with staff representatives to retain the jobs in Southport where many of the employees are female and (due to family responsibilities) not all able to take up jobs far from town. It was proposed at one stage to move some of the jobs to the Fylde. Commenting on the issue: "We have been putting an entirely rational case to the Paymaster General (Dawn Primarolo) and the Chief Executive of the Inland Revenue (Paul Gray) arguing that with a high number of small businesses and elderly people with complex tax affairs Southport needs a local tax presence. A more personal, less automated approach is frequently required. "Hopefully these arguments have been acknowledged. But whatever the reasons I am pleased jobs have been saved." |