THE leader of Plaid Cymru is calling for the UK Government to make a U-turn on its decision to close Porthmadog’s tax office.

In December, HMRC Revenue & Customs announced that it is to close all tax offices in Wales outside Cardiff, which includes Ty Moelwyn in Porthmadog, which would result in a loss of over 20 jobs.

Since the announcement a campaign has been launched by Porthmadog Town Council to save the building.

Now Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood has written to the chief executive and permanent secretary of HMRC, Lin Homer, to call for a U-turn on the decision to close Ty Moelwyn.

In her letter, the Plaid Cymru leader said: “The devastating impact of closing the Porthmadog office should not be overlooked.

“Shutting this office will deal a blow to the local community and force staff to move away from an area not exactly blessed with many job opportunities.

“There is already a big flow of Welsh language speakers from the many communities in the north west of Wales to the south of Wales which is having a severe impact on the strength of the Welsh language communities.

“The axing of the Porthmadog office will only add to the problem, so I implore you to think again on the closure of this particular office.

“I understand the needs to find savings as part of the government’s austerity drive.

“However, I think there is a real case for providing HMRC with an exemption from the effects of austerity-driven cuts because the department raises revenues for the public coffers so cutting its capabilities and effectiveness is self-defeating.”

See the full story in this week’s Arfon/Dwyfor edition of the Cambrian News