Thirty VAT advice centres to be replaced by one call centre

NEWS Customs and Excise has confirmed it is to close up to 30 advice centres nationwide over the next 18 months. According to financial magazine 'Accountancy Age' it is to introduce a telephone hotline to replace the centres. A network of 5 call centres will be linked to a single national number from which agents will take enquiries from taxpayers or their representatives. Customs is also looking to develop Internet services over which taxpayers may conduct their transactions. The centres will be based in Glasgow, Cardiff, Newcastle, Southend and Cheadle.