Dan Rogerson MP for North Cornwall

Over 300 people signed a petition to save Launceston tax office in just one hour this afternoon (Monday) as local MP Dan Rogerson joined campaigners in the Town Square to collect signatures.

A ministerial axe hangs over the sixty jobs at Launceston’s HMRC office. Mr Rogerson has been working with tax office staff to fight the closure plans and highlight the work local staff do for the benefit of the whole country.

The local Liberal Democrat MP says Launceston staff save the Exchequer money by preventing fraud.

Commenting, Dan Rogerson said:

“The response today has been overwhelming with hundreds keen to show their support for our local tax office staff.

“The HMRC office brings people into the town, and thereby provides support to other shops and services in the area.

“I met a number of a local people today who rely directly on the tax office’s front of house service for advice and to make sure their returns are filed correctly and on time.

“The back office staff at Launceston are among the most productive in the country, and their work saves the country money by identifying fraud and ironing out errors.

“To close our tax office is at best a false economy for the government; at worst it could spell a devastating blow to our local economy. Ministers must rethink their flawed plans without delay.”