GOVERNMENT'S INSANE MERRY GO ROUND OF PUBLIC MONEY
 
Mike Weir MP, SNP Spokesperson on Trade and Industry, has today (Monday) expressed concern at the move by the department of Work and Pensions to transfer its bulk mail business from Royal Mail to UK Mail. Mr Weir had previously raised concerns about the amount of mail all government departments were sending by private carriers. Figures obtained in a Parliamentary Question showed that the DWP spent £7.9 million on private mail last year. The contract won by UK Mail is worth £12 million annually.
 
Mr. Weir said:
 
"This is yet another spin on the insane merry go round of public money where one department undermines the Royal Mail to cut its budget whilst another has to pump money into the service.
 
"Even more worrying it is reported that all Government departments are being urged by the Cabinet Office to put mail deliveries out to tender.
 
"There is absolutely no joined up thinking on the future of Royal Mail from this Government. If they continue to undermine it in this way it will clearly imperil the whole future of the universal service obligation and result in a far inferior service, especially in rural areas of Scotland where many traditional services are already under threat.
 
"It's time this Government got its act together and gave consistent support to our mail service."