Dundee HMRC staff to be offered early jobs access

PROMISE: Workers facing redundancy will get first chance of next positions

Dundee HMRC staff facing job losses will get early access to the next round of positions at Social Security Scotland (SSS), the Scottish Government has promised.

It had been claimed by an industry union those facing redundancy at Sidlaw House were being “betrayed” after 100 roles at SSS were advertised to external applicants.

However, the Scottish Government has said a “streamlined” process will be in place for the next round of recruitment in the spring.

It said HMRC had written to SSS in mid-February seeking such a process but that this was “too late” as it had already begun advertising.

The protection of HMRC employees in the city has been an ongoing issue since it was announced last year the office would close in 2022.

One hundred staff based there have so far either been made redundant or offered work in Edinburgh.

It is understood the remaining staff have not yet formally been given notices of redundancy.

The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) Trade Union has claimed both the UK Government, which runs the department, and the Scottish Government are not doing enough to help staff.

David Lardner, from the PCS Trade Union, said the Scottish Government has underplayed the difficulties faced by staff in comments in the media.

He said: “Members were rightly confused and upset when SSS began advertising positions in Dundee without offering an Expression of Interest (EOI) to staff at threat of redundancy in Sidlaw House.

“This turned to anger when, despite branch officials spending three weeks attempting to clarify, the Scottish Government chose to reply via the media.

“The reply flippantly dismissed the redundancy process staff are enduring, adding a disingenuous timescale, and implying civil servants with years of experience as unlikely to be the best people for SSS jobs.”

He said the union welcomes the planned streamlined application process but warned he would be seeking further commitments.

SSS, formed to take on devolved welfare powers, will establish its base in Dundee but is yet to confirm the exact location.

A Social Security Scotland spokesperson said: “Our commitment has always been clear and consistent. We said we would put a process in place to assist staff affected by HMRC’s decision to close their Dundee operations. We are working with HMRC to put that process in place.”