HM Revenue & Customs will begin a programme of consultations with local businesses and individuals in December aimed at helping determine its future shape and direction.

HMRC said the consultations have been designed to progress the consolidation of the HMRC estate and the co-location of staff nationwide following the merger.

Paul Gray, acting chairman of HMRC said: ‘Today's announcement sets out the modernisation and transformation that HMRC wants to undertake over the next five years to put our taxpayers, claimants and other customers at the heart of everything we do, thereby improving efficiency and effectiveness.’

The department was created in April 2005 following the merger of the former Inland Revenue and HM Customs & Excise.

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