MP & MSP on further Post Office woes
Posted on Friday, July 14 2006
Moray’s two parliamentarians have lined up to slam the latest revelations from the government on Post Office services. Their criticism comes after the latest news that the government plans to give details of the Post Office Card Account withdrawal in only a written submission to parliament thereby making it harder to question the Minister on the changes.Commenting Moray’s MP Angus Robertson said:“ I am absolutely appalled at the way in which the government unashamedly cuts Post Office services month after month. Not only does continued cuts put the livelihoods of postmasters and mistresses and their staff at risk, it poses a serious threat to large parts of the rural Post Office network.“ This latest attempt to hide crucial information by failing to make a ministerial statement to parliament is totally underhand when it involves such a crucial issue. The Minister should be standing at the despatch box and taking questions from MPs representing their constituents’ interests on the matter.“ It was revealed only a few months ago that the Post Office Card Account was only a temporary measure until 2010, a fact that had been well hidden from postmasters and MPs alike when the plans for the card were originally announced.“ Benefit processing accounts for over 40% of the Post Office’s revenue stream and for the government to continue undermining such a crucial public service is simply madness.“ The Scottish National Party continue to raise these concerns in the House of Commons and directly with the Ministers responsible and I for one will be doing my best to ensure the Minister is held to account. “ The Post Office is not simply about profit, it provides the glue for rural communites and is a focal point in almost every village and town in Scotland.”Richard Lochhead MSP said:“ What the Government is failing to recognise is the community aspect of the Post Office network. Post Offices, particularly in rural communities, offer an invaluable service to people of all ages including pensioners who are often very reliant on the facilities offered by their local Post Office.“ The Royal Mail is largely Government owned and therefore the Government should have a responsibility to society to ensure their protection. By contrast, they are continually cutting Post Office services, making it increasingly difficult for their survival.“ Continuing revelations about Post Office Card Accounts along with other essential services such as over-the-counter television licensing beg the question of how many more blows our Post Offices must face?”ENDS.
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