Tax jobs in town
‘Stay in EK’gets public backing
Campaigners and union officials took to the streets in a bid to save almost 3000 HMRC jobs in East Kilbride.
Plans were announced earlier this year to close Centre 1 and relocate jobs to a new office in Glasgow by 2026.
HRMC offices in Plaza Tower will close by 2020-21.
Around 2700 tax office jobs are expected to be lost in East Kilbride and campaigners say the impact on the local economy will be devastating.
A public meeting will be held in the Ballerup Hall on Friday at 7.30pm and all are invited.
A stall run by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), who represent tax office workers and are spearheading a ‘Stay in EK’ campaign, told the News that public support in the town at the weekend was strong.
Union official Scott Clark said: “We had the stall in the town centre at the weekend to get as much support as possible for the public meeting.
“There was a lot of support for the campaign – East Kilbride was built around tax office jobs when the New Town first started to be developed.
“We are working with South Lanarkshire Council on an impact report for the local economy if the jobs go.
“The knock-on effect on local businesses would be disastrous with indications that one in four jobs in the town could be at risk in the medium to long term.
“Our MP, Lisa Cameron, came down to support us and members of the CWU, who are campaigning against the franchising of East Kilbride’s main Post Office, also showed their support.”
The public meeting on Friday will be addressed by national president Janice Godrich and John Davidson, on behalf of the PCS.
Other speakers will include Dr Cameron MP and Linda Fabiani MSP, to discuss the progress over the past 12 months following HMRC’s original announcement.
The PCS have called on HMRC to halt their proposals and make their plans subject to full parliamentary scrutiny as well as undergoing a full public consultation in order to inform any further planning decisions in the future. The town meeting is open to all interested members of the East Kilbride community.
Union officials have said it is imperative that the East Kilbride community galvanises and works together to stop HMRC’s “illconceived” plans, which they claim will have a knock-on effect for generations to come.
Branch president Bob Farmer said: “Many of our current members are second or even third generation civil servants within the department.
“HMRC’s proposal to close offices in the town will mean these long-standing, secure jobs will be removed forever for all future generations in East Kilbride. It is important that everyone within the local community gets involved in order to oppose these proposals.
“Our members help to contribute millions to the local economy each year and the impact of over 2700 jobs being taken away would be disastrous for East Kilbride.”
Knock-on effect on businesses disastrous . . . one in four jobs at risk . . .