Customs workers to vote on strike

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The walkout will be held on January 31, the deadline for self assessment tax returns, if there is a yes vote by members of the Public and Commercial Services union.

The union accused the department of "ploughing on" with closures and job losses despite deteriorating services and problems such as the recent loss of discs containing the personal details of 25 million people.

Up to 250 offices faced closure and 25,000 jobs lost by 2011, leaving staff having to work overtime or see consultants hired to mask the impact of the cuts, said the union.

PCS general secretary, Mark Serwotka, said: "With office closures and 13,000 job cuts to date, the department is already running on empty resulting in deteriorating services. It is lunacy for HMRC to plough ahead with closing over 250 offices and to cut a further 12,500 jobs by 2011.

"As HMRC's own staff survey indicates, morale is dangerously low. These are some of the most loyal staff, responsible for collecting taxes to build schools and hospitals, securing our borders and overseeing the payment of tax credits.

"HMRC cannot deliver a quality service in the face of continued arbitrary cuts and the Government and the department need to recognise that HMRC needs to be properly resourced and staffed if public confidence is to be restored."

The ballot closes on January 23.