90% of HMRC staff on strike

UNIONS have estimated that up to 90% of HM Revenue & Customs staff are on strike today.

The PCS union, which represents lower ranking staff, announced the figure following "early reports" of staff staying away from work. The major public unions are striking over cuts to jobs, pay and pensions.

PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka, said: "The impact of these cuts will not only be felt by public sector workers. It will also be felt in those communities where they live and spend their wages, which is why it needs to be stopped."

Jonathan Baume, general secretary of the FDA, which incorporates the Association of Revenue & Customs union, said: "The OBR forecast of a further 310,000 job losses in the public sector over the next six years, on top of the 400,000 already predicted, will lead to further fear and despondency at all levels of Britain's public services."

HMRC warned: "You may have to wait longer for your call to HM Revenue & Customs to be answered and some smaller Enquiry Centres may be closed." It also warned that HMRC expects a lot of callers in the coming days.

HMRC said it does not recognise the PCS's figures. A spokesman argued the true figure of absent staff was 55%.