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<p>HMRC is currently undertaking a programme of work to transform the services it
provides to give its customers a modern, efficient service, delivered in a modern
and flexible way that is convenient for them. To do this, HMRC needs to continue to
become a smaller and more professional organisation that is able to maximise the revenues
that pay for the UK’s public services, while making sustainable cost reductions and
improving their customer service.</p><p> </p><p>Efficiencies required by the 2010
and 2013 Spending Reviews mean that HMRC’s staffing levels in relation to these plans
alone will reduce to 54,000 Full Time Equivalent posts (FTE) by 2015 and to 52,000
FTE by 2016. Reduced staffing levels mean a reduced need for accommodation and HMRC
has recently closed consultation on the proposed closure of 12 offices between now
and December 2015. The decisions will be announced in the autumn.</p><p> </p><p>In
addition to requiring efficiencies, the 2010 and 2013 Spending Reviews provide resources
to increase revenue yield and to increase the department’s capacity for digital business
and on–line services. In consequence, the costs arising from the changes HMRC is making
are not readily identified and need to be considered against the savings achieved
through improved working methods, increased revenue yield, reduced running costs and
overall greater efficiency in the service it provides. All redundancy costs are made
against strict value for money criteria.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC is still developing its
plans for the future, including extensive discussions across the whole of the Department
through a series of events designed to start conversations with all staff about building
the future of the organisation.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC is consulting with its staff on
the way forward through a nationwide series of face to face events known as ‘Building
our Future’, attended by every individual within the Department. ‘Building our Future’
explains the changes being made, the background to them and includes group discussions
at which individuals consider how they can contribute.</p><p> </p><p>HMRC remains
strongly committed to providing services to the regions. It has for example recently
introduced a new Needs Enhanced Support service. This includes a mobile advisory service
to ensure that accessible and tailored advice is available to the 1.5 million customers
who need extra help.</p><p> </p><p>Its longer term strategy continues to look to bring
people together into Regional Centres, providing flexibility, improved efficiency,
greater cost effectiveness and improved career development opportunities for its staff.</p><p>
</p><p> </p><p>These will be drawn from its existing campus locations, where 80 per
cent of the Department’s workforce is currently based. These centres will be supplemented
by specialist sites, for location-specific work, and touchdown locations, where HMRC
has a business need for a presence in a community.</p>
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