WEIR CHALLENGES GOVERNMENT TO REBALANCE POST OFFICE NETWORK

The Government announcement, just before Christmas, on the Post Office network indicated that around 2,500 sub post offices were likely to close.  Speaking in a commons debate this week Angus MP Mike Weir has challenged the government to look at the overall make up of the network and at opening post offices where there was clearly a need.

Speaking in the debate, Mr Weir directly challenged Secretary of State, Alistair darling:

“The Secretary of State is talking again about closure – we keep hearing about the closure of post offices – but he has also talked about the haphazard nature of previous closures.  In the urban regeneration programme, it seemed to be that whoever wanted to go got to go.  That has left the current network dysfunctional in many areas.  Is there anything in the right hon. Gentlemen’s proposals that would allow an overall look at the network and the opening of new post offices to rebalance the network, and not just closing post offices?

Although Mr Darling indicated he agreed with Mr Weir’s point it was clear that he saw it as merely existing offices around.

Commenting after the debate Mr Weir said it was imperative that there was an overall look at the make up of the network.

“The previous closure programme had no overall plan and led to the current mess.  In Angus we have lost sub post offices in Arbroath, Forfar, Montrose and Friockheim as well as smaller rural offices. 

“Instead of just pressing ahead with more closures the Royal Mail and government need to look at the overall shape of the network and this might mean opening new, or re-opening closed post offices.

“Ultimately, however, we must accept that the sub post office network cannot be looked at as simply another business.  We need to recognise its social function.”