The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
MPs call for answers over DWP ‘betrayal’
Tayside SNP MPs are demanding UK ministers explain why a promise to transfer HMRC staff in Dundee to new roles within the Department for Work and Pensions has been broken.
It was revealed last week that 479 staff at Sidlaw House will no longer be transferring en masse to work on Universal Credit for the DWP in 2021.
This transfer was announced following sustained pressure in 2015, when HMRC confirmed the closure of Caledonian House with the loss of 120 jobs.
There are fears the staff may now be asked to transfer to the new Edinburgh and Glasgow offices or lose their jobs.
Dundee SNP MPs Chris Law and Stewart Hosie, along with Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart and NorthEast Fife MP Stephen Gethins, have written to Mel Stride and Esther McVey, the ministers in charge of HMRC and DWP, asking them to explain the decision.
Mr Law said: “I had been given a written guarantee from the UK Government in 2015 that work would continue at Sidlaw House post-2021, a guarantee that has now been ripped up by the Tories in what is a devastating U-turn for the staff and the city.
“These are highlyskilled staff who are incredibly valued by Dundee and it’s community, and who have given years of loyal service to HMRC only to be betrayed by the ministers in charge.”
Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie said: “I am utterly appalled at this complete betrayal.”