Workington MP Sue Hayman has demanded a review into the planned closure of Lillyhall's tax office.

The office, which employs 246 people, is under threat as the Government told workers in July that it would close in 2018.

Mrs Hayman says she has been trying to get clarification from the Goverment about the office, but has had limited success.

There was an urgent question in the House of Commons last week about Concentrix, the US firm employed by the Government to cut tax credit fraud and overpayment.

It has been accused of incorrectly withdrawing tax credits from hundreds of claimants, will not have its contract renewed.

It was answered by Jane Ellison, the financial secretary to the Treasury.

Speaking in Parliament, Mrs Hayman said: "The minister has mentioned fraud a number of times.

"There is obviously fraud in the system, but I really do not see that that as an excuse for errors and failures that affect our constituents.

"My constituent, Sarah Hodgson, has three young children and is struggling to put food on the table. There is no excuse for incompetent contractors.

"I am glad the minister talks about the redeployment of HMRC staff to support people.

"The HMRC office in my constituency, which employs over 200 people, is due for closure.

"Our nearest regional office is more than two hours’ drive away and the phone system is clearly not working.

"It is not helping people with their inquiries. Will she please review the closure of our local offices, so that people can keep the support and the face-to-face contact they need in these situations?"

Mrs Ellison said that the modernisation would mean the closure of some regional offices, but it was an important process as it was about delivering a better system.

Mrs Hayman has now written to Mrs Ellison.

She said: "New arrangements such as those with Concentrix are clearly not working.

"The office in my constituency was only opened in 2009, and to close it will result in the loss of 246 jobs. This is simply unacceptable.

"I would ask that your department carries out a review of the plans to close our tax office, and that your plans are subjected to detailed parliamentary scrutiny.

"I would be grateful if you could outline how the closure proposals were drawn up, and what scrutiny they have already gone through, in order to ensure that the services offered by HMRC to the public will not suffer."

Mrs Hayman said the mood among staff at the office was of real anger and disappointment.

She added: "They have exceeded all targets set by the business for them as a centre and this move comes as a slap in the face.

"It is simply a false economy for jobs to be slashed at HMRC when we need to be ramping up efforts to recover billions of pounds in unpaid tax.

"If the Government still wants to build its Northern Powerhouse, then it should be obvious that this will not happen if jobs are needlessly being cut in areas like West Cumbria."