GOVERNMENT DEFENCE OF POST POLICY "LUDICROUS"
Posted on Friday, February 24 2006
SNP MP for Moray Angus Robertson has derided the government's defence of their decision to remove the Post Office Card Account as "utterly ludicrous".
The Moray Parliamentarian said that the removal of the account would have a disastrous effect and lead to an increase in financial exclusion.
Commenting Mr Robertson said:
" The government tell customers they can go to the banks, but where are these banks? In many rural areas and deprived city areas the banks have closed.
" The Post Office is the only place where benefits can be accessed. If they go there will be nothing. The government will increase financial exclusion by this ill thought out move.
" The minister's defence that it was all in the original contract is utterly ludicrous. We were not allowed to see the original contract. If they did disclose it publicly at the outset it would have deterred people from using these accounts.
" It was never made clear that this was a temporary account and cardholders have been misled by this government. They must re think their plans as a matter or urgency and remove the threat to the account."
ENDS
TAKE RNID'S TELEPHONE HEARING CHECK URGES ANGUS ROBERTSON MP
Posted on Monday, February 20 2006
Moray MP, Angus Robertson took RNID's telephone hearing check today, joining more than 180,000 people who have already made the call. The SNP's Mr Robertson voiced his support for RNID's 'Breaking the Sound Barrier' campaign, which is reaching out to the 4 million people in the UK1 who are losing their hearing but doing nothing about it.
The specially developed five minute telephone hearing check, available by dialling 0845 600 55 55, is part of the new 'Breaking the Sound Barrier' campaign by RNID, the UK's largest charity for deaf and hard of hearing people.
Mr Robertson highlighted the campaign while visiting the 'Aberdeen & North East Deaf Society's offices in Moray. While there Mr Robertson met with members of the deaf community and learned about the work of the society.
The members emphasised the importance of early recognition and treatment of hearing difficulties and of the importance of deaf awareness amongst service providers and businesses.
Expressing his support for the campaign, which aims to change attitudes towards hearing loss and hearing aids, Mr Robertson says:
" Most people don't realise how important their hearing is until they start to lose it. I urge concerned people in Moray to take RNID's telephone hearing check. Hearing loss can lead to stress and difficulties in communicating, both at home and at work; yet digital hearing technology can transform lives for the better and reconnect people back into society."
" While visiting the deaf society what struck me most was the way in which small changes by companies and organisations can transform the experience of hearing impaired clients. For example the installation of a relatively cheap induction loop system can make a huge difference.
" Advice on how to improve services for deaf clients can be obtained from the Deaf Society RNID's Chief Executive Dr John Low explains: "It's great that Angus Robertson is urging his constituents to take RNID's telephone hearing check.
" By the time we reach 50, over 40% of us will experience some level of hearing loss, which happens naturally as we get older. But it can have a profound impact on our lives, leaving many of us feeling isolated. Follow Angus' example and take RNID's simple hearing check on 0845 600 55 55. It takes just five minutes, putting you back in touch with friends, family and colleagues."
Recent Ipsos MORI research shows almost half of adults believe that embarrassment about not being able to hear prevents people with hearing difficulties discussing their problem with others, or having a hearing test.
RNID has been pursuing a long-term campaign to improve quality, access and take-up of effective hearing aids, and currently over half a million people have benefited from digital hearing aids available free on the NHS. Breaking the Sound Barrier aims to build on this success, informing and persuading people to take action to address their hearing loss, not only for their own benefit, but for that of their family and friends, colleagues, and society at large.
RNID developed the telephone hearing check, which features TV personality Eamonn Holmes and has been validated by audiology expert Professor Mark Lutman of Southampton University supported by specialists in Manchester, London, Birmingham, Nottingham and Bristol. Other celebrities backing the campaign include Sir Cliff Richard, Eric Sykes, Claire Rayner, Alan Titchmarsh and popular historian David Starkey.
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