Last month I wrote to HM Revenue & Customs and Therese Coffey, the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions regarding the proposed changes to the civil service’s operation at Benton Park View. The HMRC office at the site is planning to move to Newcastle city centre in 2027. I have raised my concerns about jobs, transport implications and where this leaves the DWP offices which occupy the same site.

I have been assured that there will be no reduction in roles as a result of the move and all those currently employed by HMRC Benton Park View will have the opportunity to move to the new Pilgrim Street site. HMRC also tells me that they expect the majority of employees will travel by public transport and so they don’t expect the move to have a significant impact on the numbers of private cars travelling into the city centre. They said they intend to conduct further research into the modes of employee travel closer to the move. I have not yet received a response from the DWP.