TWO tax offices in Scotland are to close with the loss of 82 jobs as austerity-driven cuts continue.

HM Revenue and Customs said the offices in Glenrothes and Irvine will close by the end of the year along with 10 others across the UK. A total 453 jobs will go.

HMRC said the automation of many of its processes meant it was changing how it conducted business and, as a result, it needed fewer administrative staff.

A spokesman said: "The announcements are absolutely no reflection on the contribution and commitment of the people who are affected, but are a result of our need to become more efficient and to live within our financial constraints."

The Public and Commercial Services union (PCS) said it made no economic sense to make cuts in the department that collects taxes. The PCS said that, as well as the 453 jobs, a further 690 low-paid administrative assistant jobs in the personal taxes division were at risk.

General secretary Mark Serwotka said: "It makes absolutely no economic sense to continue cutting in the department that collects the taxes that fund the public services we all rely on.

"This is political and economic vandalism."