MIKE CONCERN FOLLOWING POST OFFICE STATEMENT
Sub Post Offices still closing to be replaced by Outreach services
Responding to a written statement by the UK Government today (Tuesday) on the future of the Post Office network, SNP Postal Affairs spokesperson Mike Weir MP said the statement showed that there remains huge grounds for concern over the future of the network.
Mr Weir said:
“The UK Government’s statement shows that there remain huge grounds for concern over the future of the Post Office network.
“News that the Post Office and Royal Mail have entered into a ten year contract is very welcome. That is something that was widely supported and will give some stability to the system.
“There does, however, remain cause for concern in several areas. The Minister maintains that the number of Post Offices remains over 11,500 but the truth is that sub post offices are still closing and, in many cases, being replaced by a reduced outreach service such as indeed recently happened in Ferryden. Whilst this may still count within the total numbers of Post Offices, it is none the less a diminution of service.”
“Yet again the Minister states that becoming a front office for government is a key objective, but there is little evidence of progress on this front. When the Department for Work and Pensions, for example, has had the opportunity to continue services through the Post Office they have put the contract elsewhere. The Minister’s comments on the future Universal Credit needs to be viewed in that light.
“It is also a concern that many rural post offices are becoming Post Office locals which offer a more restricted range of services, or are being replaced by outreach services. It is highly unlikely that many of them will offer the services mentioned by the Minister, such as identity confirmation services.
“We all want to ensure that the Post Office network survives and prospers but it is clear that major obstacles still exist.”
ENDS