HMRC’s London base is shifting eastwards, as the tax authority looks set to be one of the government departments moving from existing offices in London’s Whitehall to a new government hub at Canary Wharf, as part of plans to relocate around 5,700 full time civil and public servants
The Cabinet Office announced earlier this week that the government is to take over a building previously occupied by Barclays at 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, covering 50,354 sqm, on a 15 year lease (to end in 2032).
The government said the move, which will be completed by the end of 2018, supports the modernisation of the Civil Service by creating multi-departmental offices in strategic locations with good public transport connections, local amenities and a modern working environment.
At the time of the formal announcement, the Cabinet Office said details of which government departments are making the transition would be given later.
However, adverts for jobs at HMRC placed in civil service jobs websites have made clear that some tax authority employees will be moving.
The adverts state: ‘Please note that the London office (100 Parliament Street) will be moving to a transitional site in summer 2017. The location will be 10 South Colonnade, London, E14 4PU.’
Last year HMRC announced plans for a major programme of office closures, which will see the tax authority slash the number of local offices in favour of introducing 13 regional hubs over the next decade. It is in the process of setting up two regional centres in Stratford and Croydon, with the two sites set to house upwards of 7,000 staff.
The Cabinet Office said the location of the East London Office Hub at Canary Wharf was chosen due to its ‘exceptional’ public transport connections to the rest of London and the UK, which will further be enhanced by the opening of Crossrail in 2018, along with its significantly lower cost comparative to other central London locations. The building has 11 floors with a mezzanine and basement.
