GOVERNMENT DEFENCE OF POST OFFICE POLICY "UTTERLY LUDICROUS"

LOSS OF POST OFFICE SERVICES COULD BE DISASTROUS FOR ANGUS

Mike Weir MP, SNP Spokesperson on Trade and Industry, has derided the government’s defence of their decision to remove the Post Office Card Account as “utterly ludicrous”

Speaking in a debate in the House of Commons Mr Weir said that the removal of the account would have a disastrous effect and lead to an increase in financial exclusion.

“The government tell customers they can go to the banks, but where are these banks? In many rural areas and deprived city areas the banks have closed. The Post Office is the only place where benefits can be accessed. If they go there will be nothing. The government will increase financial exclusion by this ill thought out move.” 

“In Angus most of the towns have lost sub post offices. Of the larger villages Letham and Newtyle have post offices but no banks, whilst Friockheim has neither a post office nor a bank.”

Speaking after the debate Mr Weir was particularly scathing about the Minister’s defence of the government’s action.   

“The minister’s defence that it was all in the original contract, which we are not allowed to see, and that they did not wish to disclose it publicly at the outset as it would have deterred people from using the accounts is utterly ludicrous. “

“It was never made clear that this was a temporary account. Cardholders have been misled by this government. They must re think their plans as a matter or urgency and remove the threat to the account.”