CIVIL servants at HMRC say they are “definitely up for the fight” as they walked out today in a dispute over pay and conditions.

PCS members at HMRC in East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, and in Newcastle began targeted strike action on Wednesday, which will see them down tools for 18 days between now and June 2.

They are calling for a 10 per cent increase, saying they “will not accept being treated like the poor relation.”

Union members manned picket lines outside the HMRC offices in East Kilbride and Benton Park View in Newcastle on Wednesday morning.

The union said the strike will hit the employer and construction industry scheme helplines and webchat services, and it warned of a severe impact on the student loans unit.

John Davidson, PCS branch president for HMRC in East Kilbride, said members are taking action to get a fair pay rise from the government.

He said: “Our members have not had a proper pay rise from the government for 13 years in the middle of the worst cost-of-living crisis that any of us have ever suffered.

“When the cost of living is going up exponentially, the cost of food, fuel, heating bills etc is increasing again and again, it’s unfair for our members to have to survive on no more than a 2 per cent pay rise, which is the last official offer that we’ve had, so that’s why we’re out on strike today.

“Ten per cent was the initial pay claim but obviously the cost of living continues to increase and our members aren’t just suffering that now, they have suffered that for over a decade.

“Since we served notice of this action on employers, we’ve recruited hundreds of additional members between here and the other office in Newcastle that’s out on strike today so they’re definitely up for the fight.”

He said 19,000 of the union’s members across HMRC are on the national minimum wage and claimed the low pay is having an impact on staff retention, and therefore a knock-on effect on the ability to deliver services.

Mr Davidson said: “This is not just about selfish civil servants taking action in defence of pay, this is about us defending public services.”

The HMRC has been contacted for comment.