A civil service strike which would have thrown the UK's tax service into chaos has been put on ice.

The Public and Commercial Services Union was balloting members about strike action on 31 January - which threatened to disrupt the deadline for handing in self-assessment forms.

But the action has been suspended while talks are ongoing, it emerged today. The union has secured a moratorium on job losses and office closures while discussions are continuing.

A separate proposed strike at the Department of Work and Pensions over pay increases, also planned for 31 January, has been suspended too because of "the offer of meaningful talks". The PCS is also in talks with the Cabinet Office over the national civil service dispute.

Mark Serwotka, PCS general secretary, said: "Thanks to the resolve of members, the union will now be entering into detailed talks with HMRC, seeking to achieve a negotiated outcome which gives guarantees on office closures, job cuts and service delivery." ®

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