HM REVENUE and Customs (HMRC) has announced a U-turn on its Bradford office and will now keep it open until 2027.

In November 2015, HMRC announced its Centenary Court site would close in 2020-21, with Bradford staff, including those from other sites, moving to its new Leeds Regional Centre at 7 & 8 Wellington Place.

HMRC has now decided to keep Centenary Court open, as a Transitional Site, until 2027, to help meet its future needs and accommodate a larger workforce than previously forecasted in 2015.

Colin Casse, HMRC’s Locations Programme Director, said: “While we remain committed to the overall strategy of moving to regional centres, we always knew that in a programme of this size and duration our plans would need to remain flexible to help us meet new challenges.”

“We’ve always said we want as many people as possible to stay with us.  This change will allow people working in Bradford, and nearby offices like Shipley, to remain working for HMRC longer.”

Centenary Court currently accommodates around 840 full time equivalent employees but has space for more from Shipley.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I am delighted to see this u-turn from Government on a decision which we have been challenging them on for years.

"Bradford is a bigger city than Liverpool, Newcastle and Bristol and has a large, young workforce.

“It’s, therefore, just common sense that Government should change their mind on this issue.  We’ll now be lobbying for Government to make this decision permanent.

“The Chancellor spoke in his budget speech yesterday about his wish to relocate Government departments to the North. At the devolution signing this morning I spoke to the Chancellor and said that Bradford would be happy to be host offices for Government and I have written to him on the subject today.”

Commenting on the decision by HMRC to keep their Bradford Office open, Naz Shah MP for Bradford West said: “I am pleased to hear the great news that the HMRC office in Bradford will remain open until 2027.

“I have campaigned over the years to ensure that HMRC stays in Bradford, in a bid to protect local jobs.

"I acknowledge that this is not everything, as we must ensure that HMRC remains in Bradford even after 2027 and they maintain to protect jobs in Bradford through this period.

“However, this is positive news for Bradford that will support Bradford’s other bids for investment into the city.

"Bradford's young population, diversity and investment are highlighting how Bradford is an opportunity for the future."

Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East, said: “This U-turn on plans to close Bradford’s HMRC offices by the end of 2020 is the right decision and I am pleased that after a long campaign to safeguard jobs and expertise in Bradford, HMRC have recognised Bradford’s importance to their future with our large young and vibrant workforce, but also their importance to Bradford as a high-skill employer in the city.

“With a wealth of skills and experience to offer, and a clear and compelling business case to stay and even expand their base in Bradford, the Government must now guarantee HMRC’s permanent future in Bradford with the creation of a partnership hub to support the planned Regional Centre in Leeds, and I will be lobbying Treasury Ministers to this effect.”