Northern Ireland Review launched

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) invited staff and unions to comment on proposals for reorganising its office accommodation in the Belfast urban centre, which includes HMRC offices in Antrim and Lisburn.

The reorganisation of office accommodation arises in part from the integration of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise, which has led to HMRC having more space than it needs.

All Enquiry Centres will remain open in their current localities as will other sites serving a specific local purpose.

The consultation covers the Belfast urban centre and envisages accommodating staff in six buildings rather than the current nine. Initial planning suggests that by 2010 the number of HMRC jobs in this centre is likely to reduce from 1,700 to around 1,600 as a result of efficiency programmes.

• Estate proposal in Northern Ireland

HMRC will consult with a range of stakeholders in addition to staff and trade unions, including local authorities, MPs and other elected representatives. HMRC businesses are engaging with representatives of large customer groups, covering both commercial and community interests.

At the same time, and in accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998, HMRC is publishing an Equality Impact Assessment on its proposals inviting all those affected by them to comment on the potential impact on diverse groups within its workforce, its customer base and the local community.