AN MP has been told jobs for HM Revenue and Customs in Southend will be here for another three years.

James Duddridge, MP for Rochford and Southend East, has received assurances from the Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Pay Master General, Mel Stride MP, that the HMRC jobs in Southend will be retained until 2022.

Following a statement on changes to HMRC in the UK, Mr Duddridge asked the Financial Secretary: "Over a thousand people work for HMRC in Southend. I understand that Southend is not going to be a regional centre.

"But what does this mean for the people who work for HMRC in Southend, do the words 'transitional sites' offer them any shot term hope, and will he work with me to ensure that it is 90 per cent plus in Southend?"

Mel Stride responded: "I am indeed very happy to engage with him on the issue of the Southend office. He will be aware I am sure that we have announced that we will retain the Southend office until the end of 2022.

"But I will be very happy to meet with him to discuss these matters further." Mr Duddridge is working on arranging a meeting with Mr Stride to discuss the issue in more detail.