New round of Post Office closures on the cards as government scraps Card Account

3.12.00pm GMT Wed 5th Nov 2008

Lower Rushcroft Post Office was one of six Post Offices axed in Oldham Borough in 2008

As many as ten more post offices could be forced to close in the Oldham area next year, according to Liberal Democrat PPC for Oldham East & Saddleworth, Elwyn Watkins.

His claim follows leaked news this week that the Government will scrap the Post Office Card Account (POCA).

The closures would come on top of the six already closed in Oldham this autumn, and with up to 3,000 Post Offices across the country at risk due to the Government's action, it is likely that number could rise further.

Elwyn Watkins has hit out at the government over their handling of the decision.

He said, "Plans to phase out the Post Office Card Account are bad news for customers and the community. At a time when trust in banks is at an all-time low it is perverse to force Post Office Card users, who have all made a conscious decision to stick with the account, out into the commercial world.

"The decision-making process on POCA has been a sham. New Labour have cynically under-cut the account, and like the Conservatives before them, have repeatedly undermined the Post Office Network.

"The most vulnerable people will be the ones who suffer the most. And as Post Offices are forced to provide less and less for fewer and fewer, it gives the Government an excuse to close even more in the future."

Elwyn Watkins is calling on local Labour MP Phil Woolas, who has repeatedly voted in favour of the government's post office closure plans, to act to save local Post Offices.

"He could start by signing a Parliamentary motion calling for the government to ensure the future of the Post Office by encouraging all government departments to make their services available through Post Office branches.

"This motion has cross-party support, so I would urge Mr Woolas to do everything he can to help save our local post offices.

"His Labour colleagues, like Failsworth MP David Heyes, are willing to stand up and support local services, as are many North West Lib Dem MPs like Andrew Stunell, John Leech and John Pugh. I hope that Mr Woolas is willing to join his colleagues in putting the interests of local people above factional party politics."

Related Links:

Press Association - Post offices at risk over contract.

Mail on Sunday - 3,000 more post offices to close.

The Liberal Democrats Natonal Response.

EDM 2008 - RENEWAL OF THE POST OFFICE CARD ACCOUNT.