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<p>HMRC are committed to their strategy, announced in 2015, of moving to 13 regional
centres, all within Government hubs, in city centre locations where the majority of
their staff are already based. This is key to HMRC’s and wider Government’s transformation
and is aligned with the Places for Growth Programme.</p><p> </p><p>Customer services
will not be reduced by the closure of offices. HMRC had already closed their enquiry
centres in 2014. Currently almost all business customers deal with the department
online and, in 2020, 94 per cent of Self-Assessment returns were filed digitally.
In addition to dealing with enquiries by telephone, HMRC have set up an Extra Support
Team, providing assistance to taxpayers who need extra help. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions,
HMRC are unable to offer face to face appointments at this time, but they continue
to serve taxpayers through other communication channels. Evidence from customer satisfaction
survey results confirms that taxpayers, particularly those who would have satisfied
the criteria for a face to face appointment, are happy with these alternative services.</p>
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