Yesterday I spoke during the Opposition Day debate on HMRC office closures to ask the Minister of State at the Treasury, David Gauke MP, if he would agree to meet with me to discuss the futures our dedicated HMRC workers at Anchorage House in Chatham. I was grateful that the Minister has agreed to meet with me and I will seek his audience at the earliest date possible.
There are a large number of employees who have long worked at Anchorage House and I was keen to highlight their great contribution towards the falling tax gap and clamping down on tax evaders. The new regional offices will be based in Stratford in East London and Croydon, while the office in Maidstone will remain open for around four more year. I will use my communication with the Minister as well as the HMRC to seek assurances that those affected in Chatham will be offered sufficient deals to relocate to a suitable location.
I will of course continue to update constituents as I learn more about this.
For the debate transcript from yesterday please click the link here: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151124/debtext/151124-0003.htm#15112455000001