HMRC to close support centres The move means 1,300 staff employed in the Enquiry Centres face losing their jobs. HMRC said it hoped to redeploy them within the tax office or help them find another role in the Civil Service. Citizens Advice chief executive Gillian Guy said: "It's important that people who need extra support dealing with tax issues get one to one help so they don't fall foul of the system. But there must be appropriate resources for the local organisations that people will turn to for help instead of using the centres, like Citizens Advice Bureaux. Chas Roy-Chowdhury, head of taxation at accountancy body ACCA, said: "There are a lot of changes to the tax system coming through at the moment. "It's good that HMRC and the Government are looking at saving costs, but why not do it in two years" time?" A five-month pilot scheme will run in north east England from June this year, with centres closing in Alnwick, Bishop Auckland, Bridlington, Hexham, Darlington, Durham, Middlesbrough, Morpeth, Newcastle, Scarborough, Stockton, Sunderland and York. These centres were also closed today, while all other inquiry centres were closed from 1pm, shortly before the decision was announced. If the pilot scheme is successful HMRC will close the remaining centres from next February. Gillian Guy said it was important that HMRC "learns from the pilot to ensure that people get the help they need as the permanent aim." HMRC is calling for feedback from individuals and organisations as part of its consultation on the issue.