The Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for South Wales West, Peter Black, has written formally to the UK Government to object to the loss of up to 100 jobs from HM Revenue and Customs in Swansea.
Government restructuring plans include closing the Pierhead Custom House building and transferring twenty five jobs from this site to T? Nant in the City Centre. The Labour Government then intend to scale back the number of jobs at this site over the next four years. Mr Black is worried that moving the jobs away from the Custom House will make Swansea Docks an easy target for drug and people smugglers.
"I am very concerned at the potential job losses for local people," said Mr. Black. "The government should be doing all it can to invest in public sector jobs outside of London and Cardiff so as to disperse the economic benefit. These jobs are important to Swansea and to lose them would be greatly disappointing."
"But there is also an operational issue to consider. By taking away revenue and customs presence at Swansea Docks there is a risk that the area will become a hot spot for drugs and people smuggling. There is already evidence to say that sex workers and drugs are being transported to the UK through Ireland and if the Swansea to Cork ferry was to restart then a customs presence on site is essential to fight drug smugglers and help the victims of people trafficking."
