Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what industrial disputes are ongoing within (a) her Department, (b) HMRC, (c) the Valuation Office Agency and (d) each of the other arm’s length bodies connected to her Department; how many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute; what the form of industrial action is in each dispute; which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute; what the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps she plans to take to end each dispute.

(a) No recognised trade union currently holds a mandate to call industrial action in HM Treasury.

(b) PCS are in a formal trade dispute with HMRC and have issued a formal notice of their intention to ballot 238 members in the Benton Park View Office in Newcastle.

How many (i) staff and (ii) contractors are involved in each dispute;

238 AA and AO Grade PCS members will be balloted for strike action. The ballot opens 18 November and closes at noon 9 December. No contractors are involved in the dispute.

What the form of industrial action is in each dispute;

Members are being balloted for strike action

Which recognised trade union is involved in each dispute;

PCS

What the substantive matter is that is being disputed in each case; and what steps to be taken to end each dispute:

The dispute relates to the dismissal of 3 trade union representatives from Benton Park View office and PCS’s request for reinstatement of those dismissed. HMRC’s established guidance and procedures for dealing with issues of misconduct have been followed in relation to these cases and HMRC has held colleagues to the same standards of conduct we expect from all HMRC employees. There are specific formal and legal routes for the dismissed employees to seek redress if they believe that their employment rights have been infringed. All three cases have ongoing Employment Tribunal claims.

(c) VOA - no industrial disputes to report

(d) In relation to HM Treasury arm’s length bodies please see below responses:

UK Debt Management Office – no industrial disputes to report

National Infrastructure Commission– no industrial disputes to report

UK Government Investments - no industrial disputes to report

Office for Budget Responsibility - no industrial disputes to report

Government Internal Audit Agency - no industrial disputes to report