WREXHAM was just one of two locations which the UK Government considered for a regional tax office base in Wales – but lost out to Cardiff, an MP has said.

The revelation emerged in a Parliamentary answer from ministers about HMRC’s proposals to relocate offices which was put in after a critical report on the proposals was released shortly before the General Election.

The report, which Wrexham MP Ian Lucas gave evidence to, was released by the House of Commons’ influential Public Accounts Committee.

Questions put down about the report now show that a number of locations had been considered by HMRC, including Wrexham, for new regional centres.

Mr Lucas said: “This question suggests that Treasury ministers were considering just two locations in Wales to develop new services in.

“Wrexham had been in the running for new investment, but instead, ministers chose to close the current office in the town – and put more than 300 jobs at risk.

“When HMRC officials appeared before the Public Accounts Committee, it was clear that there were a lot of questions still to be answered about their plans – both nationally, and in Wrexham.

“The report which followed the session was critical of the Government’s proposals, and specifically mentioned Wrexham.

“There is more work to be done to challenge these proposals, and in the past week, I have met with Labour colleagues who worked on the committee’s report to plan our next steps.

“I will keep pushing on this issue – we must stand up for these jobs and for our area.”