Farron asks local businesses to help save HMRC office

3.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 24th Jun 2008

Local MP Tim Farron has written to local businesses in a bid to aid the fight to save the Kendal offices of HM Revenue and Customs which has been earmarked for closure under a Government consultation. Mr Farron hopes that the bodies like the Chamber of Commerce will urge their members to contribute to the consultation stressing how important it is to have a local tax office.

Mr Farron has also seen evidence of the increase in car journeys that closing the Kendal office would create if staff were to travel to the alternatives in Preston or Carlisle, on average staff would have to travel an extra 680,000 miles per year, which goes against the Government's supposed commitment to combating climate change.

Tim Farron said:

"Having met with some of the hard working staff from the HMRC in Kendal it is clear to me that the sensible decision would be to retain the office.

"I hope that many of the local businesses in the area will contribute to the consultation and help keep it open, it is essential for local business and would be more environmentally friendly."