Jobs boost as HMRC brings Contact Centre to West Cumbria

12th September 2008

Plans to secure the future of over 50 staff at the Whitehaven tax office and bring around 350 new jobs for people living in and around West Cumbria have been announced by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

Officials have confirmed they will be opening a brand new Contact Centre at West Cumbria House, Lillyhall, between Whitehaven and Workington.

The announcement provides long term certainty for existing HMRC staff based in nearby Blencathra House, Whitehaven. The department will be working closely with the West Cumbria Development Agency over the next few months to ensure the accommodation is fitted out to the required HMRC standard.

Linda Maslen, Head of HMRC Contact Centres, said of the decision to locate the Contact Centre in Lillyhall:

“This is very good news for the region. I am delighted that our new site will be here in West Cumbria, and I am really looking forward to working closely with my new team to put Lillyhall Contact Centre at the forefront of providing an excellent service to our customers. The opening of this new Contact Centre brings great opportunities for colleagues from Blencathra House, and for the local community.”

West Cumbria Development Agency Director Tim Hirst commented that he was delighted HMRC was establishing the new Contact Centre in ‘West Cumbria House’ at Lillyhall:

“This is excellent employment opportunity news and demonstrates the commitment by many parties to continue to improve the economic prospects for West Cumbria into the future.”


Recruitment Opportunities

The Contact Centre will bring approximately 350 new jobs to West Cumbria.

HMRC is looking for keen, enthusiastic people with a sound basic education (though no qualifications are necessary), who have a real interest in helping people and a willingness to learn to help launch this new Contact Centre. No experience is necessary; candidates will be asked to undertake a basic aptitude test to assess their suitability for this type of work. Recruitment is starting now with very attractive salaries in the region of £15,262 (pay award pending).

If you are interested in applying for these jobs, full details are available on the HMRC website at www.hmrc.gov.uk/jobs.