PAYPOINT “BID” DEATHKNELL FOR POST OFFICE

Angus MP, Mike Weir, has warned that the final nail in the Post Office network’s coffin could be about to arrive if the UK Government allow an informal “bid” by Paypoint to run more services already dealt with by the Post Office, such as the replacement for the Post Office Card Account (POCA).

Paypoint, who recently won the contract to run the TV Licence payment service, a service originally run by the Post Office, have now submitted a submission to the Department of Trade and Industry in response to its consultation exercise on the future  of the Post Office network, wherein they suggest they might make a bid for further Post Office services.

Speaking on the matter, Mr Weir said;

“Although only an informal bid, Paypoint’s proposal sends a shiver of alarm across Angus’s Post Office network, already hit by the loss of the majority of benefit and pension payments to the High Street Banks and the TV Licence contract to Paypoint.

“Whilst Paypoint has a good network in the Angus towns there is only one outlet, Friockheim, in the rural areas.

“Therefore, if the government decide to offer Paypoint more Post Office services, rural areas will be hit hard by the loss of these services.

“Of course it is due to government failure and lack of investment that has allowed private companies, such as Paypoint, to carve up Post office services for themselves.

I fear without urgent action and strong support from this government many more communities in Angus will lose vital Post Office services, a lifeline for many today.”

In his own submission to the consultation Mr Weir has called upon the government to look at a rebuilding of the network which could mean opening new offices and not just further closures.