THREE thousand jobs could be lost in the North-East as a result of HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) plans to close six offices and create a new regional centre.

HMRC said it planned to have between 6,000 and 6,300 full time staff based in the North-East by 2020-21.

But the PCS union pointed out that as there were already about 9,000 staff based in the region – the bulk of which are in its Longbenton, Newcastle, regional HQ – this must mean a net reduction of about 3,000 posts.

About 700 staff are employed in HMRC offices in Middlesbrough at Russell Street and Eustace House and at George Stephenson House in Thornaby, which are to close.

More than 600 are also employed at its Emerald Court offices in Peterlee, County Durham, which will also shut along with offices in Sunderland and, eventually, Washington.

HMRC said its modernisation plans would create a tax authority fit for the future and supported the Government’s commitment to building a “Northern Powerhouse”. It said most staff would move to the new regional centre in Newcastle.

But Simon Elliott, regional secretary of the PCS union, said it amounted to a “massive rationalisation” of the service and also said many staff, particularly in the south of the region, would be unable to move to Newcastle or Washington, which is expected to become a transitional centre until its closure in 2024-25.

HMRC said those who could move would be helped to find new roles, either elsewhere in the civil service, or outside, in order to “minimise redundancies”.

Quizzed about the Teesside element to the proposals, Mr Elliott said: “700 jobs are under threat.

“The problem is for large numbers of staff it will be outside what could be regarded as a reasonable daily travelling distance.

“I know someone who lives in Redcar who travels to Thornaby each day and has two children. I cannot see how they can easily get to Washington or Newcastle.”

He added: “In Teesside you are talking about the most deprived area of the region and an area already affected by job losses.

“Indeed James Wharton’s (the Government’s Northern Powerhouse minister) own constituency will be hit hugely by the closure of the Thornaby office.

“I cannot see how any of this will benefit Teesside and indeed County Durham.”

Gordon Rowntree, a regional representative of the PCS, said: “This is another devastating kick up the backside for Teesside.

“There is no doubt the operation will be severely affected and we will be asking ‘Is this really the way forward for HMRC?’”

HMRC, which is moving from 170 offices nationwide to just 13, said it would save £100m a year.

Those affected ensure tax collection and the payment of tax credits. HMRC has already shut down the public facing elements to its offices on Teesside, meaning people with enquiries now have to use the telephone or the internet.

Lin Homer, HMRC’s Chief Executive, said: “HMRC has too many expensive, isolated and outdated offices.

“The new regional centre in Newcastle will bring our staff together in a modern and cost-effective building and will make a big contribution to the economy of the North-East.”