Foyle SDLP MP Mark Durkan is to meet the British Government in a bid to have it reverse its decision to lay off staff at its Tax Office in Derry.
Mark Durkan.
The Government is looking to cut back on 250 posts at three offices in Northern Ireland. There are fears as many as 77 staff could lose their jobs at the Tax Office on Derry’s Duncreggan Road with the remainder coming from offices in Enniskillen and Newry, the latter which looks set to close.
The SDLP have tabled a parliamentary motion at Westminster urging the government to reconsider its decision with Mr Durkan revealing he had met with the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury David Gaukey.
Mr Durkan said: “He has expressed his willingness to have a meeting to discuss this – which will also be attended by the MPs who represent Enniskillen and Newry.”
Mr Durkan said the motion highlighted the SDLP’s “deep concern” about the imminent closure of the Newry office and plans to scale down the Derry and Enniskillen operations.
He added: “Our motion recognises the vital services that are provided by these centres and their high degree of competence and expertise.”
Mr Durkan added the motion also stressed the “devastating impact” th”e decision would have on “hard-working” public servants the “very real damage this would cause to the local economy in each area.
He added: “We are therefore urging the government to reconsider its decision – and importantly to reverse these damaging cuts.”
Mr Durkan: “We will be defending these key public service jobs in all three locations in the North in the same spirit as we are fighting for the DVLA jobs in Coleraine.”
