The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black has accused Labour Assembly Ministers of failing to stand up for Wales over the projected loss of 977 jobs in customs and tax offices across the country.
120 of those job losses will be in Bridgend in Mr. Black's region, an objective one area. Management at HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has announced the job cuts in Wales to take place over the next five years so as to meet efficiency targets set by Chancellor Gordon Brown in 2004.
"These cuts have nothing to do with providing a better service to Welsh people and everything to do with arbitrary targets set by the Chancellor," said Mr. Black. "Jobs will be lost across our region with 120 going in Bridgend alone. This type of crude 'efficiency saving' makes no sense, especially in parts of Wales which already have low levels of employment, and will see a worsening of the service provided to people claiming tax credits and to the small business sector."
"This announcement also contrasts sharply with assurances given by the First Miinister at the Wales TUC Conference last May when he told delegates that there would be a "net increase" in the number of civil servants employed in Wales. It seems that the Labour Government has no regard to the devastating impact that these job cuts will have on deprived Objective One areas. HMRC's decision will undermine the efforts of the Assembly Government to regenerate the local economy and yet the First Minister is apparently watching passively whilst in a condition of self-denial."
