BANBURY’S tax office will close by March next year with the loss of up 26 jobs.
Staff have been told the office in Southam Road will close as part of nationwide programme of cost cutting.
A small inquiry centre will be set up elsewhere in the town, which could include a post office.
Public and Commercial Services Union representative Nick Bullard said the news had come as a shock to staff.
He believed the closure would be bad for the tax-paying public and businesses as it would reduce options for tax advice and support and affect the Government’s ability to collect tax.
Mr Bullard said staff had been told they could apply for jobs in other HM Revenue offices but many could not travel to the nearest alternative which would be Oxford.
HM Revenue announced plans to axe 130 offices across the UK over the next two years. A spokesman said: “By bringing staff together in larger teams and closing smaller offices HMRC will be able to deliver a better service to customers while delivering better value for money.”
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