WEIR CONDEMNS ASTONISHING ATTACK ON CONSUMERS

CLEAR GOVERNMENT AND POST OFFICE PREPARING MASS CULL OF RURAL POST OFFICES

Angus MP Mike Weir, SNP Spokesperson on Trade and Industry, has condemned an “astonishing attack on consumers” by Trade and Industry Minister Jim Fitzpatrick and accused the government and Post Office of planning “a mass cull of rural post offices.”

Mr Weir raised the question during Trade and Industry Questions when he asked the Minister about remarks by Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of the Post Office, that there was an “imperative” need for a “radical transformation” of the network and that “the level of any support after 2008 will depend on decisions on the future of the Post Office network.” Mr Weir asked the Minister who would be making these decisions.

“The Minister’s response was an astonishing attack on consumers, blaming them for the declining business of post offices. The fact of the matter is that it is government policy in removing business from the post offices that have led to a dramatic decline in the network. Consumers choice has been removed as a direct result of his government’s policy.”

“Worse still he made it clear that up to 2,000 post offices could be facing closure after 2008, hundreds of these will undoubtedly be in Scotland. “

“It is quite clear that between them this government and the Post Office are planning a mass cull of rural post offices. This will rip the hearts out of many communities and lead to a huge increase in financial exclusion in rural and more deprived areas.”