Dundee West MP Chris Law has called on the UK Government to do more to support HMRC staff to transition to home working, after concerns were raised with him that many staff at HMRC’s Dundee office are still required to attend work in-person.
In a letter to the Financial Secretary to the Treasury responsible for HMRC, Jesse Norman MP, Mr Law echoed concerns raised with him by the Public & Commercial Services Union that staff still currently travelling into work will not be transitioned to home working.
HMRC staff who are classified as vulnerable or are currently looking after children are currently supported for home working. HMRC’s Customer Service Group underwent a trial last month to investigate if homeworking was feasible for all staff, however following the trial senior management’s tone on the possibility of homeworking changed.
In a separate letter, Mr Law also called on HMRC to follow the Department of Work and Pensions’ lead and make all current Full-Term Appointment staff permanent. It is believed there are around 45 full-term appointment staff in HMRC’s Dundee office and over 200 across the whole of the UK.
Chris Law MP said:
“I understand the large majority of HMRC staff across the United Kingdom are currently working from home, however this has not been replicated in their Dundee office.
“No-one’s health should be put at risk by attending work, especially when working from home is possible. The less people that are put at unnecessary risk of catching COVID-19, the sooner restrictions will be lifted.
“I would hope that HMRC would continue to support their staff by transitioning to working from home for the foreseeable future.”
Chris Law 