Letters of support

Two hugely appreciated letters of support have arrived, the first of which came from the PCS Branch in East Kilbride, the second from Dundee:

To: Marjory Shane, Branch Secretary, Mark Chapman Branch Chair, Hamish Drummond, GEC & all colleagues in Wick

From: Alex Wilson, Branch Secretary, & Bob Farmer, Branch Chair, East Kilbride Revenue & Customs Branch

Date: 17/3/11

Subject: Wick Wants Work campaign

Marjory, Mark, Hamish, all,

I’m writing to you formally to express our support for the campaign to retain an HMRC presence in Wick.

As fellow PCS members we are only too well aware of the threat of closure to many offices in the HMRC estate and the massive impact such closures have on the members affected & local community. We understand the particular impact the closure of Wick would have given the lack of any other Government office in the area.

We believe this cut is unnecessary and avoidable, in fact given the HMRC NPS system which can send work to any network computer anywhere in the country we believe those working for HMRC in the area could easily be increased. We believe that only through increases in staffing can the billions of uncollected, evaded and legally avoided be properly addressed and believe the people of Wick can play an intrinsic role in addressing this tax gap.

If there is anything we, our Branch Committee or our members can do to support the campaign further please don’t hesitate to contact us,

Alex Wilson

PCS Branch Secretary 

Bob Farmer

PCS Branch Chairperson

East Kilbride Revenue Branch

The second, equally appreciated, came from Dundee Branch:

PCS Revenue & Customs Dundee Branch

HMRC Sidlaw House

4 Explorer Road

Dundee

DD2 1DX

23 March 2011

Dear Allan,

Please pass on to members and campaigners in Wick a message of solidarity and support from Dundee Branch.

The fight you have put up in recent years has been inspirational, and we wholeheartedly endorse the campaigning objectives of the Wick Wants Work Campaign.

Rural Scotland has been hit hard by the recession, and the loss of jobs in the Private Sector must not be compounded by the withdrawal of Public Sector work also.

As you fight for your livelihoods, know that we stand alongside you, and please let us know if there are any actions that we as a Branch can take in support of your Campaign.

Yours Fraternally,

Kenny Watson

PCS Acting Branch Secretary