Hostile takeover of VOA
Since the announcement in April of the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) being integrated into Revenue & Customs concerns have been raised about the impact this will have both on staff and the services to the public. Contact your MP and ask them to help
When the announcement of the integration was made by the then Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, James Murray MP, PCS members were assured by senior leaders in both VOA and HMRC there would be no detriment because of the transfer and that they were considered valued assets of the VOA. They were told they might not even notice the transfer in practical terms and there would be virtually no change to their working lives or the services they provide.
Since then PCS, along with the other recognised trade union, Prospect, has started talks with the employer about the integration and a very different picture has emerged. Wherever there is a difference in staff policies, terms or conditions there is an expectation that VOA staff will adopt the HMRC version unless agreed otherwise (and there are virtually none which they are willing to agree).
In some cases this is beneficial but on a whole number of terms these could be detrimental and HMRC has strongly indicated they expect to enforce the move to their terms.
HMRC has refused to provide assurances on the future of VOA offices outside HMRC regional hubs, beyond current lease periods, raising real concern among VOA members.
This also raises serious questions about the autonomy of VOA post-integration and the service provided to the public, which accounts for £60 billion for local authorities around the country.