SCOTLAND OFFICE COMPLACENT OVER THREAT TO POST OFFICES

LOCAL OFFICES ALREADY GONE IN ARBROATH, MONTROSE AND FROICKHEIM NEW THREAT PUTS MANY MORE AT RISK

Angus MP Mike Weir, the SNP Spokesperson on Trade and Industry, has angrily denounced the Scotland Office over its complacency to the threat facing Scottish post offices over the proposed withdrawal of the Post Office Card Account.

Speaking in the Commons during Scottish Questions Mr Weir said

“Is the Minister aware that Citibank, who administered the accounts, are now transferring to another provider without first informing the account holder.”

“Such action only leads to the confusion that government policy has created and which is undermining the Post Office Card Account well before its withdrawal in 2010. Will the minister take action and urge the Department of Work and Pensions to reverse this disastrous policy.”

Speaking after the debate Mr Weir said that the government were destroying the future of the Post Office network.

“The previous decision to pay benefits into bank accounts robbed the Post Office of 40% of its business. As a result we have seen local post offices close in Arbroath, Montrose and Friockheim. The Card Account was supposed to help Post Office retain business but its deliberate undermining by this government will lead to another round of post office closures, fatally undermining the whole network.”