We are writing to you regarding the proposed closure of the Oldham HMRC Tax Office at Phoenix House on Union Street.
This move will represent a massive job loss for Oldham and a further blow to our Borough’s public sector, following on top of this Government’s proposal to close both of our court houses and the significant cuts in local government spending announced recently in the Autumn Statement.
The Government is proposing to close dozens of other local HMRC tax offices and consolidate their operations in large regional offices in Manchester and twelve other cities across the regions.
In Oldham’s case, such a move makes no financial sense – Manchester’s office rentals are second only to London, whilst Oldham’s are well under half the price.
Public contact with HMRC is largely online or via email or the telephone, rather than by personal visit, therefore there is no need to locate these offices in busy and expensive, cities.
Rather common sense suggests that to save money the Government should instead choose to expand the Oldham operation into a new regional centre, migrating Civil Service jobs into our Borough.
Sites like Union Street (adjacent to a light rail stop) and Hollinwood Junction (adjacent to the motorway network and light rail links) are easily accessible for staff and could represent alternative affordable locations.
We understand that this was the approach taken in London where HMRC are regionalising to Croydon and Stratford, rather than central London.
Can we therefore please request that you work with us to bring a new regional centre to Oldham and the many new jobs that will come with it?
We look forward to hearing from you.
| Cllr Jean Stretton | Cllr Howard Sykes |
| Leader of the Council | Leader of the Opposition |