Date: 3rd May 2006
Released by: ANDREW TURNER

On Friday 5th May a petition will be handed over to Andrew Turner the Island’s MP protesting against the closure of the current tax office, the downgrading of services provided on the Island and the possibility of job losses to the mainland.

Margaret Perry, a tax office employee said:

“Our petition has received over 1000 signatures with more still coming in from business people and individual taxpayers who want to keep the service on the Island – the support has been tremendous. The petition was organised by the staff of the tax office who understand how these changes will affect Islanders. Andrew Turner has been very supportive and we are grateful for everything he's doing on our behalf.”

Mr Turner said

“I am very angry about these proposals which fly in the face of common sense. I am afraid that I have been given the ‘run around’ when trying to obtain answers to reasonable questions about how these proposals will affect my constituents – both tax office employees and taxpayers. I have asked the Paymaster General to look into this and I am waiting to see if she can shed more light into what is going on.”

END

Contact: Andrew Turner 01983 530808