100 Newry HMRC Jobs To Go

Almost 100 HM Revenue and Customs jobs are to be lost in Newry, it has been announced.

The Newry office will close in the New Year and some 93 jobs are expected to be lost as part of a restructuring operation.

The tax collection service said it will be looking to place staff affected in new jobs or offer voluntary redundancy.

In a statement HMRC said: "The announcements are absolutely no reflection on the contribution and commitment of the people who are affected, but are a result of our need to become more efficient and to live within our financial constraints.

"We have put a package of support and career guidance in place for affected staff, who were given the news by managers in face-to-face meetings.

"We remain committed to avoiding compulsory redundancies wherever possible, but as the scope for redeployment reduces, it will become increasingly difficult to avoid this."

Ulster Unionist Newry & Armagh MLA Danny Kennedy said: "This is dreadful news for Newry and having made representations on behalf of the workers I must say that I am bitterly disappointed at the loss of these jobs which are vital to the local economy in Newry and the wider south Down and south Armagh area.

"It is now incumbent on HMRC to make strenuous efforts to redeploy as many of the staff as possible within the civil service and to make proper provision for redundancy and training needs of those who cannot find posts."

(IT/MH)