Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the oral contribution of the Financial Secretary to the Treasury on 7 March 2018, Official Report, column 428, how many and what proportion of HMRC staff in Charter House Canterbury are expected to (a) transfer to HMRC Regional Centre and (b) complete their career in that location.

HMRC wants to keep as many employees as possible as it moves to its regional centres. It has been clear that if someone can move to a regional centre and has the skills it needs or is able to develop them, there will be a role for them.

For Canterbury, Charter House, current planning data shows that around 34 full-time equivalent (FTE) people, or 51 per cent, will transfer to either the Croydon or Stratford Regional Centre.

Canterbury, Charter House is scheduled to close in February 2020, before the Stratford Regional Centre opens. HMRC staff who can will therefore initially move to Maidstone, Medvale House, which will be staying open until late 2020-21. HMRC expects 45 FTE people, or 67 per cent, will transfer to Maidstone.

HMRC cannot be certain about how many will actually be able to move to a regional centre or the numbers who may complete their career at either Canterbury or Maidstone until one-to-one discussions with managers have taken place. These will be held around a year before any move. Demographic data for the office suggests that many staff may choose to retire when the office closes.