Coronavirus in Edinburgh: Work continues on new tax office despite FM's ban on construction

Construction firm bosses say UK government guidelines are being followed

Workers onsite this week

WORK is continuing on a new tax office in the Capital despite Nicola Sturgeon banning all non-essential construction work during the coronavirus crisis.

Several workmen were photographed this week putting the finishing touches to HMRC’s new home in Sibbald Walk, off the Canongate.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said the revelation exposed the contradiction between advice from Holyrood and Westminster, which has said construction work can continue.

The new HMRC office block

“This confusion speaks to a lack of clarity that has existed from the start of this crisis,” added Mr Cole-Hamilton.

“The two governments have been offering completely opposite guidance on building sites.

“The Scottish Government is saying critical infrastructure projects can continue - which includes things like the new Sick Kids.

“But they are very clear that work on non-critical projects, which I would regard the HMRC offices as being, should stop.

“We are still in the teeth of this emergency and seeing our Prime Minister put into intensive care is a reminder how serious we need to take this lockdown.”

In 2017, it was announced that a new UK government regional hub for the city will be opened at the New Waverley site on Sibbald Walk this year.

The UK government is taking on approximately 190,000 square feet of office space moving 2,900 civil service jobs into the Old Town.

This will include HMRC, which will run one of its 13 regional centres from the newQueen Elizabeth House office block.

Workers were seen decorating the offices this week on a site run by Surrey-based construction firm Wates.

A spokeswoman for the firm said work was paused for 48 hours last month so new UK government-approved measures could be put in place.

These included fewer workers on-site to enforce social distancing of at least two metres and more handwashing and sanitation points.

The spokeswoman added: “An enormous amount of thought and effort has gone into ensuring that we follow these new procedures meticulously wherever we are continuing to work.

“The health, safety and wellbeing of our people and the public has always been our top priority.

“For the past three years Wates has achieved the leading health and safety record in the UK construction industry, with a performance nearly 80 per cent better than the sector average.”

An HMRC spokesman said: “HMRC is working with its contractors, developers and landlords to ensure that any continued work is carried out in line with current site operating procedures from the Construction Leadership Council, ensuring they are protecting their workforce and minimising the risk of spread of infection.”